Our current unit is all about Industrialization, also known as the Gilded Age. During this era the United States was transformed from an agrarian to an increasingly industrial and urbanized society. Although this transformation created new economic opportunities, it also created societal problems that were addressed by a variety of reform efforts.

Throughout this assignment you will learn about several of the different men who played critical roles in the transformation of America during the Gilded Age. By the end, you will hopefully be able to answer the question below:

Why were the industrialists of the Gilded Age sometimes characterized as Robber Barons? Why were they sometimes characterized as Captains of Industry?