View
103
Download
2
Category
Tags:
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
Citation preview
The Industrial Age Latter half of 19th century
Questions What new technologies developed in the latter part
of the 19th century? How did technology impact industrialization? Who were the major industrialists of the period? How did industrialists gain a competitive edge over
their competition? What did the government do to address issues in
industry?
The Expansion of Industry – new technologies New fuels helped industry grow
Kerosene was refined from oil or coal to run machines
The Bessemer process – iron was turned into steel The process made steel cheaper and easier to
produce Steel became central to industrialization and
urban development Railroads, buildings, bridges, equipment, etc.
Electricity Thomas Edison 1870’s
Invented the incandescent light bulb Power plants were built to generate electricity Electricity was used to fuel
Railways Public transportation Businesses Factories
Communication Telephone was invented in 1876
Alexander Graham Bell
Typewriter was invented in 1867
These two inventions radically changed office work More women began working in offices By 1910, 40% of clerical (office) workers were
women 10 hour work day Had more leisure time
Railroads Railroads helped stimulate economic growth
Steel industry Iron industry Coal mining – fuel Lumber industry – construction Glass Agricultural products could be more easily
transported – better distribution Expansion of markets
Urban growth Railroads stimulated urban growth
More people moved to the cities in search of economic and social opportunities
Invention of the Pullman car allowed passenger to travel in sleeping cars for overnight trips
The Brooklyn Bridge
Tensions The railroads and agriculture were often at
odds over transportation costs Farmers resented being charged high prices to
transport their products Railroads often used deception and bribery to
gain an advantage The government finally moved to regulate
both transportation and industry to protect the public. – enacted new laws and regulations
The Rise of Big Business
Major industrialists Andrew Carnegie – steel industry J.P. Morgan- steel industry John D. Rockefeller – oil industry
Standard Oil Cornelius Vanderbilt- railroads
Andrew Carnegie Scottish immigrant
Carnegie Steel Outstanding manger Generous patron of
American society Culture Education Libraries The arts
Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Hall in New York City
John D. Rockefeller Built Standard Oil
Company
Stand Oil Stock Certificate
Rockefeller Center in New York
Cornelius Vanderbilt Railroad Empire Vanderbilt University
in Nashville
Biltmore House in Asheville, NC
Vanderbilt University
JP Morgan Steel Finance
Social Darwinism and its impact Social Darwinism emerged in the latter part of the
1800’s- Darwin’s theory of evolution – natural selection idea of Herbert Spencer- English philosopher
“survival of the fittest” - Herbert Spencer Proposed that people in society were different Some were better suited for success Free competition and very limited government
involvement would allow the best people to succeed
“Captains or industry” or “robber barons”?
Many felt that industry was taking advantage of the government and the public by using unfair and dishonest practices
The major industrialists claimed that they were creating economic growth and generously supporting the development of American society (patronage)
How did the major industrialist achieve their goals? Pushed the government to allow free
competition in business (capitalism) Wanted limited government regulation Based on Social Darwinism’s idea of “survival of
the fittest” in economic competition Industrialists moved to gain control over their
specific industry - increasing profits Monopolies – one company controlled all the
competition in that industry Trusts- different companies agreed to work together
Rockefeller
Vanderbilt
Big industry/business
lobbying the
government to
enact laws
favorable to
their interests
and profits
How did the US Government Respond? 1890 Congress passed the Sherman
Antitrust Act Outlawed trusts
the law, however, was often not enforced
Workers – Labor issues Workers worked long hours in dangerous
conditions Wages were low Women and children often had to work to
support the family Labor groups began to organize to improve
things for workers- Unions
Labor Unions pushed for 8 hour work day Equal pay for women Higher wages Better working conditions Union members would use different tactics to
achieve their goals Strikes – refusal to work
Labor unrest Mass meetings sometimes became violent Federal troops were called in on occasion to
maintain order Striking workers sometimes lost their jobs Some business leaders banned union meetings
or fired union workers By 1910 union membership had dropped to
5% of workers
North and South still divided Industrial growth boomed in the North
Lots of money for investment in industry and business
There were more cities There was an abundant supply of
workers Good transportation infrastructure
The South remained economically depressed with its economy focused on agriculture Lack of investment capital (money) Fewer cities Jim Crow laws kept blacks and whites
segregated and limited political and economic advancement
Recommended