Oklahoma Social Studies USH.C.2.1

Standard Cluster

USH.C.2

Analyze the social, economic, and political changes that occurred during the American Industrial Revolution, the Gilded Age, and reform movements.

Evaluate the transformation of American society, economy, politics, and culture during the American Industrial Revolution. Explain how the United States was transformed from an agrarian to an increasingly industrial, urbanized society and how this transformation created both new economic opportunities, as well as societal problems. Describe the changing role of the American farmer, including the establishment of the Granger movement. Analyze the impact of capitalism and laissez-faire policy on business practices, such as monopolies, the characterization of “robber barons” and the role of industrialists in economic growth, as well as philanthropy (e.g., Cornelius Vanderbilt, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie, including his Gospel of Wealth essay on society). Identify the impact of new inventions and industrial production methods on the growth of the American economy and standard of living (e.g., technologies developed by Thomas Edison, Alexander G. Bell, Henry Ford, and the Bessemer Process). Examine the complex conditions that characterized the Gilded Age (e.g., rapidly expanding economy, concentration of wealth, corrupt politics, poverty). Evaluate the role of muckrakers and social reformers (e.g., Jane Addams, Ida Tarbell, Jacob Riis, Upton Sinclair) on increased awareness of business practices and societal concerns, including child labor, working conditions, and the regulation of big business. Assess the significance of the Labor Movement, including the leadership of Samuel Gompers and Eugene V. Debs, by comparing its early goals (e.g., formation of trade unions,favorable legislation) to repercussions following the Pullman Strike and the Haymarket Affair .

Oklahoma Academic Standards for Social Studies (2026) · USH.C.2