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The Industrial Revolution in Post-Civil War America

Learn how the rapid growth of industry, railroad construction, and emergence of big business transformed American society after the Civil War, leading to unions, technological advancements, and economic prosperity.

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The Industrial Revolution in Post-Civil War America

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  1. American industry grew rapidly after the Civil War, bringing revolutionary changes to American society. (p. 244) • After the Civil War, the rapid construction of railroads accelerated the nation’s industrialization and linked the country together. (p. 246) • • Big business assumed a more prominent role in American life following the Civil War. (p. 248) • • In an attempt to improve their working conditions, industrial workers came together to form unions in the late 1800s. (p. 249) Section 2-GTR 2

  2. I. The United States Industrializes (pages 244–246) • A. With the end of the Civil War, American industry expanded and millions of people left their farms to work in mines and factories. B. By the early 1900s, the United States had become the world’s leading industrial nation. By 1914 the gross national product (GNP), or total value of goods and services produced by a country, was eight times greater than at the end of the Civil War. Section 2 DLN-1

  3. I. The United States Industrializes (pages 244–246) • C. Water, timber, coal, iron, and copper are natural resources found in the United States that led to the country’s industrial success. Transcontinental railroads increased industrialization by bringing settlers and miners to the West and moving resources to the factories in the East. D. Petroleum could be turned into kerosene for lanterns and stoves. The demand for kerosene created the American oil industry. Section 2 DLN-2

  4. I. The United States Industrializes (pages 244–246) • Between 1860 and 1910, the population of the United States tripled. This provided a large workforce and a greater demand for consumer goods. • Large families and a flood of immigrants contributed to the large population. F.Entrepreneurs risked their capital to organize and run a business. In the late 1800s, entrepreneurs were attracted to manufacturing and transportation fields. Section 2 DLN-4

  5. I. The United States Industrializes (pages 244–246) G.Laissez-faire, “let people do as they choose,” Many Americans believed the government should not interfere with the economy. Instead, they wanted supply and demand to regulate prices and wages. Section 2 DLN-5

  6. I. The United States Industrializes (pages 244–246) H. In 1876 Scottish-American inventor Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone. In 1877 Bell and his associates organized the Bell Telephone Company, which later became the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T). Section 2 DLN-7

  7. I. The United States Industrializes (pages 244–246) • I. In the late 1800s, Thomas Alva Edison invented or perfected the phonograph, the light bulb, the electric generator, the dictaphone, the mimeograph, and the motion picture. In 1882 the Edison Electric Illuminating Co. became a new industry and began supplying electric powerto customers in New York City. Thomas Edison Section 2 DLN-8

  8. I. The United States Industrializes (pages 244–246) • Thadeus Lowe invented the ice machine, which would allow for refrigeration of foods. • Gustavus Swift invented the refrigerated rail car. This allowed food, especially beef to be transported long distances without spoiling. Section 2 DLN-7

  9. I. The United States Industrializes (pages 244–246) • How did the fact that there were so many abundant resources in the US in the 1800’s contribute to industry? Industry of the 1800’s depended on natural resources such as water, timber, coal, iron and copper. Because these raw materials were abundant in the United States, industry could thrive. Section 2 DLN-9

  10. II. The Railroads: Linking the Nation (pages 246–248) • A. After the Civil War, railroad construction dramatically expanded. In 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Pacific Railway Act, which provided for the construction of a transcontinental railroad by the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroad companies. On May 10, 1869, the first transcontinental railroad was complete. It took 7 years to complete. B. Railroads encouraged the growth of American industry. They linked the nation and increased the size of markets. The railroad industry stimulated the economy by spending large amounts of money on steel, coal, and timber. Section 2 DLN-10

  11. II. The Railroads: Linking the Nation (pages 246–248) • C. In the early 1800s, most railways served only local needs, resulting in many unconnected rail lines. Eastern capitalists wanted to create a single rail transit system from the many smaller railroads. Eventually seven systems controlled most of the railroad traffic. D. In 1883 rail service became safer and more reliable when the American Railway Association divided the country into four time zones, or regions, where the same time was kept. Section 2 DLN-11

  12. II. The Railroads: Linking the Nation (pages 246–248) • E. Large integrated railroad systems provided increased efficiency, a decrease in time spent in long distance travel, and it united Americans from different regions. F.Land grants were given to railroad companies by the federal government to encourage railroad construction. G. Railroad companies like the Union Pacific and Central Pacific were able to cover all their building costs by selling the land to settlers, real estate agencies, and other businesses. Section 2 DLN-12

  13. II. The Railroads: Linking the Nation (pages 246–248) Section 2 DLN-13

  14. II. The Railroads: Linking the Nation (pages 246–248) • H. The wealth of railroad entrepreneurs led to accusations that they had acquired their wealth through illegal means. Bribery occurred frequently in this era. They were referred to as robber barons. I. Not all railroad entrepreneurs were corrupt. James J. Hill built the Great Northern Railroad without any federal land grants or subsidies. It became the most successful transcontinental railroad and the only one not to go bankrupt. Section 2 DLN-14

  15. II. The Railroads: Linking the Nation (pages 246–248) • How did the railways help in the industrialization of the United States? By linking the nations, railroads helped increase the size of markets for many products. The railroads also stimulated the economy by spending extraordinary amounts of money on steel, coal, timber and other necessities. Section 2 DLN-16

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