Curated OER
Cartoons for the Classroom: Multinational Corporations
The octopus is a commonly used symbol in political cartoons. Help your scholars examine why it has been used in this way throughout history. Three cartoons depict different uses of the octopus. Background information helps gives context...
US National Archives
Our Documents: The Sherman Anti Trust Act (1890)
Available on this informative site is an interactive copy of the original Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890. You can also view larger images, a typed transcript, and download a .PDF file. Beneath the interactive image is a brief but...
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Captains of Industry: Second Industrial Revolution
This tutorial looks at the Second Industrial Revolution in the United States and the most famous and successful industrial entrepreneurs of that time. A PDF file of the tutorial is available.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History Unit: Period 7: 1890 1945: The Progressive Era
The study resource from Khan Academy provides an overview of Period 7: 1890-1945: The Progressive Era. An overview of an Progressive Era is provided. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Progress, the Gilded and the Gritty: America, 1870 1912
Eighteen primary sources-historical documents, literary texts, and visual images-that explore the industrial, racial, and technological progress of the late-nineteenth century.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Era of Expansion and Reform
This resource, a speech by Woodrow Wilson to Congress on April 8, 1913, gives a great review of how the United States transformed from from a rural country to an urban one. It includes a review of industrialization, new inventions,...
![Digital History: The Supreme Court Decides [Pdf] Website](https://d15y2dacu3jp90.cloudfront.net/images/attachment_defaults/resource/large/FPO-knovation.png "Digital History: The Supreme Court Decides [Pdf] Website")
Digital History
Digital History: The Supreme Court Decides [Pdf]
An explanation of the Supreme Court decision in 1911 that broke up the monopoly of Standard Oil, charged with unreasonable restraint of trade. Read commentary that claimed that the decision did not really increase competition in the oil...
Digital History
Digital History: John D. Rockefeller in Cleveland [Pdf]
John D. Rockefeller was a determined (some would say ruthless) businessman, who managed to gain control of all the oil refineries in Cleveland by 1872. Read about how he expanded his business while putting others out of business. [pdf]
Digital History
Digital History: The Theory of Laissez Faire [Pdf]
The economic philosophy of laissez-faire was espoused by Adam Smith in his book, Wealth of Nations. Read about the concepts of this philosophy, how it pertained to American business in the late 19h century, and what the drawbacks to...
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...
Digital History
Digital History: Business Organizations [Pdf]
After a brief description of various ways that businesses are organized, find out about the monopolies formed in the age of big business in the late 19th century, focusing primarily on Standard Oil. [pdf]
Digital History
Digital History: Robber Baron or Industrial Statesman [Pdf]
John D. Rockefeller was a controversial figure in the business world of the 19th century. Read about his actions to consolidate his control of the oil refining business in all its aspects. Find arguments claiming that he was an...
Digital History
Digital History: The Sherman Anti Trust Act and Standard Oil [Pdf]
As the influence of large corporations spread in the age of big business, push-back was inevitable. Read about the Sherman Anti-Trust Act and the government's attempts to rein in the laissez-faire attitudes of corporations and the lack...
Digital History
Digital History: Standard Oil on Trial [Pdf]
The anti-trust case against Standard Oil, based on the Sherman Antitrust Act, pitted the federal government against the largest corporation in the United States. Read the trial preparation information including the arguments of the...
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Rockefellers: John D. Rockefeller, Senior
A lengthy biography of John D. Rockefeller, Sr., who created Standard Oil, and developed the idea of horizontal integration of business. In addition, it discusses his philanthropy and the good he did with his fortune. From the PBS...
Other
John D. Rockefeller and the Standard Oil Company: The Standard Oil Trust
This site explores how John D. Rockefeller built the first great industrial trust, as well as its subsequent investigations and dissolution.
Digital History
Digital History: Rockefeller's Millions [Pdf]
With the discovery of oil in Pennsylvania in the mid 1800s brought a boom to the economy. Read about the beginning of the oil industry, and particularly, John D. Rockefeller's role in it. See how his control of many parts of the...
Other
Allegheny College: Ida Tarbell
Social reform resutled from the work of journalists known as muckrackers; Ida Tarbell was one such journalist. This website includes a biography as well as an archive of selected articles and letters by Tarbell.
The Washington Post
The Sherman Antitrust Act
This is a very short article, which briefly explains what a trust is and how a trust is formed. Included is a summary of the Sherman Antitrust Act, which prohibited the creation of trusts and monopolies in 1890.
Other
Pocantico Hills: John D. Rockefeller
A grade school in Pocantico Hills, New York, profiles the founder of Standard Oil, John D. Rockefeller.