This concise guide zooms in on the period of American history known as the Industrial Revolution, from its earliest beginnings in the mid-18th century to just after the First World War.This book is a concise reference source on the era in American history known as the Industrial Revolution-a period characterized by urbanization, mass immigration, organization of labor, and an immense gap between wealthy industrialists and the poor. It serves as an ideal resource for students preparing to take the AP U.S. history exam as well as being useful to undergraduates and anyone interested in this important period.Using encyclopedic entries on important events, key people, and trends of the time, the era is examined through the exploration of key themes such as agriculture, business, economy, finance, labor, and politics. Other features of the book include sample documents-based essay questions, rigorous thematic tagging of encyclopedic entries, a detailed chronology, and primary source documents-all of which guide readers through the material and aid in their comprehension of the Industrial Revolution's historical significance. Content covers factories, mass production, the progressive movement, muckrakers, populists, laissez-faire economics, social Darwinism, and robber barons, among other topics.