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Completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad
The Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads met in Promontory, Utah, connecting the United States' East and West Coasts. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because it led to increased international trade, stimulated westward migration and urbanization, and allowed for quicker transportation. -
Standard Oil is Created
John D. Rockefeller launched the Standard Oil Company in Ohio. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because the Standard Oil Company went on to dominate 90% of America's oil market, and made John D. Rockefeller the wealthiest man in American History. -
Chicago Fire
The Chicago fire destroyed much of Chicago and left over 90,000 people homeless. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because of its initially massively detrimental effect on the city, but also because it allowed for the integration of new architectural styles, such as skyscrapers. -
Crédit Mobilier Scandal
Union Pacific Railroad executives hired and overpaid themselves to build a railroad. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because it proved corruption in the Grant Administration because many government officials had knowledge of the construction, and benefited from it. -
Panic of 1873
Economic depression that was directly triggered by the collapse of Jay Cooke and Company, but was the result of excess factories, and railroads being built, and over-speculation. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because it was the first global economic depression to be caused by capitalism in industry. -
The Telephone is Invented
Alexander Graham Bell invents the telephone. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because it revolutionized communication, and it is widely considered to be one of the most important inventions of the 19th century. -
Hayes Wins the Election of 1876
Rutherford B. Hayes defeated Samuel J. Tilden in the presidential election of 1876. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because in return for Republican possession of the White House, Union troops were removed from Southern military districts, ending the Reconstruction period. -
Garfield is Assassinated
President James A. Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because it showed frustration with the spoils system and led to the passing of the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act. -
Pullman Strike
Laborers of the Pullman Company, near Chicago, Illinois, went on strike and rioted in response to George Pullman's refusal to lower rent rates after lowering wages. This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because it showed the frustration of common laborers and the government was forced to intervene. -
Plessy v. Ferguson
The Supreme Court upheld the concept of segregation, under justification of the "separate but equal clause." This is one of the top ten events from the Gilded Age because it is widely considered to be the largest case from the period, through its defense of segregation.
