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Unit 9. Industrialism (1865-1900). Causes. Post Reconstruction Politics (1876-1896). Characterized by: Political corruption led by “bosses” Need for reform Constant debates over tariffs Weak / nonexistent leadership. Presidential Impact on…. Presidential Impact on…. The railroad. 1804
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Unit 9 Industrialism(1865-1900)
Post Reconstruction Politics(1876-1896) • Characterized by: • Political corruption led by “bosses” • Need for reform • Constant debates over tariffs • Weak / nonexistent leadership
The railroad 1804 1890s
Railroad facts May 10, 1869: Transcontinental railroad completed… By 1890: • Almost 200,000 miles of track • Major companies developed: • Union Pacific; Credit Mobilier; Central Pacific • Numerous government actions taken: • Millions of acres given in land grants and financial loans for development • Created the Interstate Commerce Commission
Railroads begin industrialism How did railroads impact the following? • Steel…
Railroads begin industrialism How did railroads impact the following? • Lumber
Railroads begin industrialism How did railroads impact the following? • Raw materials and agricultural goods
Railroads begin industrialism Railroads impact on… • Communication: • Travel: • Business: • Politics: • American living:
Other inventions of Industrialism • (1876) Bell’s telephone
Other inventions of Industrialism • (1879) Edison’s light bulb
Other inventions of Industrialism • (1903) Wright brother’s airplane
Captains of Industry or Villains? You decide?
Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919) • Scottish immigrant; found Carnegie steel in 1889 • Secret to Success: • Always looked for new techniques to improve products • Hire the best employees • Vertical integration: • buy out suppliers • Horizontal consolidation: • buy out competition • Sold the company to Morgan for 480 million
1870: Founded the Standard Oil Company 1890: Controlled 90% of the oil business Offered lower prices to drive out competition Raised prices after competition quit 1911: Forced to break up the company because it was a monopoly Worth 1.4 billion in 1937… 190 billion today John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937)
Forming trusts • Carnegie , Rockefeller and Morgan all for either trusts or monopolies to control industries
Captains of Industry or Villains? • Many believed in the Gospel of wealth • Many became philanthropists • Carnegie over 350 million • Rockefeller over 500 million • Many believed that the poor were just lazy and weren’t working hard enough • Many made millions at the expense of the poor You decide?
1890: Congress passed the Sherman Antitrust Act Any attempt to interfere with free trade by forming a trust would be illegal Made monopolies illegal Difficult to enforce…trust was to vague Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Industrialism and the workers • Poor working conditions…16 hour shifts & little pay • Treated like slaves • Forced to sign yellow dog contracts • Rebellious workers were put on black lists • Dangerous machines that caused injury or death • Toxic materials caused many diseases • Women & children were excellent employees
Rise of Unions 1870s-1890s: • Fewer than 1% of the workforce is a union worker • Wages do not support standards of living
Rise of Unions Remaining: $116 $34 $153 The Gilder Lehrman Institute. Modules on American History http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/module_pop_resource.php?module_id=342&resource_id=690 Screen clipping taken: 2/7/2011, 4:22 PM
Rise of Unions 1886: • Samuel Gompers helps to form the American Federation of Labor (AFL) 1894 • Eugene V. Debs helps to create the American Railway Union (ARU) 1903 • Teamsters formed as a craft union dedicated to delivery drivers What causes people to unionize?
Labor Unions in the United States | Economic History Services http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/friedman.unions.us Screen clipping taken: 2/7/2011, 4:15 PM
Impact of Unions • Unions fight for better wages and working conditions • Employees look upon employers as the enemy • Use strikes to achieve goals • Achieve: • a shorter work day • Restrictions on child labor • Minimum wage laws • Better working conditions The Gilder Lehrman Institute. Modules on American History http://www.gilderlehrman.org/teachers/module_pop_resource.php?module_id=342&resource_id=689 Screen clipping taken: 2/7/2011, 4:32 PM Were they successful?