Student Handouts
Compare and Contrast: American Business Leaders
Gather information about various business leaders in this graphic organizer. Pupils fill in information about Andrew Carnegie, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Frank Woolworth, John Jacob Astor, John Rockefeller, and William Randolph Hearst in...
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Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site: Monument to the Gilded Age (78)
Learners discover how the Vanderbilts became one of the wealthiest families in America and how their lifestyle influenced business, culture, architecture, and society in ways that still affect us today.
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The Gilded Age & the Progressive Era (1877–1917)
In this online interactive philosophy activity, students respond to 7 short answer and essay questions about the Gilded Age and Progressive Era in the United States. Students may check some of their answers...
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The Rise of Big Business & the Labor Movement (6)
In this online interactive American history worksheet, students answer 13 fill in the blank questions regarding the rise of big business and the labor movement. Students may submit their answers to be scored.
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Captains or Barrons?
In this United States history worksheet, students utilize a word bank of 10 terms or phrases to answer 10 fill in the blank questions pertaining to the rise of industry in nation. A short answer question is included as well.
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American Industry Growth
Eleventh graders explore the economic growth from 1878 to 1893. In this social studies lesson, 11th graders discuss how the improvements lead to an inequality in wealth and the problems that it caused.
Read Works
Read Works: People Who Built America: Vanderbilt
[Free Registration/Login Required] This passage is about Cornelius Vanderbilt, who helped to build America by providing transportation via railroads and steamboats so that America could expand.
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Museum of the City of New York: Cornelius Vanderbilt
A carte-de-visite (card photograph) of Cornelius Vanderbilt from the Musum of the City of New York.
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Museum of the City of New York: Cornelius Vanderbilt
A carte-de-visite (card photograph) of Cornelius Vanderbilt from the Musum of the City of New York.
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Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Cornelius Vanderbilt
Cornelius Vanderbilt was involved in the New York Central Station.-E. Benjamin Andrews 1895
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Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Cornelius Vanderbilt
Known as the Commodore Vanderbilt and director of the Long Island Rail Road.
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Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Cornelius Vanderbilt
A capitalist and philanthropist, born near Stapleton, Staten Island, New York, May 27, 1794; died in New York City, Jan. 4, 1877.
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Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Cornelius Vanderbilt
(1794-1877) "American capitalist and financier, born on Staten Island, NY." -Foster, 1921
National Endowment for the Humanities
Neh: Edsit Ement: Robber Barons and Captains of Industry
A very thorough lesson plan from EDSITEment that explores the role of the robber barons in American industry in the 19th century. It explores the question of whether the robber barons were harmful or "Captains of Industry." You'll find...
Digital History
Digital History: The Industrial Revolution [Pdf]
This site covers both the initial Industrial Revolution in the United States in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and the second revolution that highlighted new inventions and the businessmen who financed industry. Read brief...
Digital History
Digital History: Empire 'S Challenge to Standard [Pdf]
In the era of big business and business tycoons in the late 19th century, John D. Rockefeller held a very high position. Read about how he thwarted an attempt by two railroad owners to keep Rockefeller from controlling all the oil...
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Corporations and Cities
Brief historical description of the growth of corporations and trusts at the end of the 1800s and how that trend led to the growth of urban areas to house this corporate movement.
Other
A Classification of American Wealth: America in the Gilded Age
This site's section, which is part of a larger article on the Gilded Age, focuses on the railroad which began to grow in the latter half of the nineteenth century.
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Wikipedia: National Historic Landmarks in Rhode Island: The Breakers
This mansion was built in the 1890s as the summer house of Cornelius Vanderbilt II.