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Urbanization
Throughout the Industrial Revolution, especially the second, rural inhabitants seeking a better life and more income moved to urban areas to have access to factory jobs. This created urbanization, and allowed people to have more opportunities. -
Mugwumps
Mugwumps were by definition people who were independent and made their own political decisions, instead of being dictated in belief by their respective political parties. Being a mugwump grew in popularity during Grover Cleveland's election, and were part of the party switch. -
Interstate Commerce Act
The ICC forced railroad companies to not have price discrimination for short or long haul routes, allowing for more free trade outside of being within a certain state. -
Mail order catalogs
The Sears catalog started as a way to bring convenience and contemporary luxuries to the growing middle class. It charged lower prices and utilized railroads for commerce, but also created a very powerful business that would overpower local businesses that sold the same products, often for more money. -
Bimetalism
Support for a currency system backed by gold and a fixed ratio of 16:1 for silver was divided in the late 19th century. The concept was later challenged by the Gold Standard Act of 1900, allowing for only gold as an official backing to the US dollar.
