Hist 1302 Purcell Chapter 18

Explain the factors that caused rapid industrial growth in the 19th century U.S.

natural resources, abundant labor, growing population, economic support

List the elements in the transportation and communications revolutions.

railroad, telegraph, telephone and steamship

Explain the advantages of the railroads in promoting economic growth.

more direct routes; greater speed, safety, and comfort than other modes of land travel; more dependable schedules; a higher volume of traffic; and year-round service.

Describe how post-Civil War railroads were constructed and their political and economic impact on society.

They often created the towns they then served

tied people together, brought in outside products, fostered interdependence, and encouraged economic specialization.

Name the major Northeast trunk lines

B&O, Erie, New York Central, Pennsylvania

Explain how the first Pacific railroad was constructed and financed.

Two separate companies started on it; financed by the government, met in Utah in 1869.

Describe the economic results of railroad growth in the U.S.

Overbuilding led to the Panic of 1893, which led to an economic depression. Eventually they turned to bakers (Morgan) who helped.

Explain why the steel industry grew in the 1870's and 1880's.

Steel was extremely important to most industries; the Bessemer process helped it along

Evaluate why Andrew Carnegie triumphed in the steel industry to 1901.

He worked hard and kept good business, keeping away strikes and things that could ruin his business. He got into the steel industry at just the right time, building his business enough to be able to construct the Brooklyn Bridge, before selling his business.

Describe why John D. Rockefeller triumphed in the oil industry.

he considered competition wasteful and absorbed smaller companies, and he sold really high quality products for a low cost, UTILIZED RAILROADS

List the two MOST important innovations of the late 19th century.

the telephone and the use of electricity for light and power.

Describe the changes that took place in the selling or merchandising of products in the late 19th century.

advertising and mail order

Discuss the working conditions of the late 19th century wage earner.

Lots of women and children worked, but for very little wages. Conditions were very dangerous, but improved greatly during the late 19th century. Accidents were common, especially in the railroad industry.

Describe the workplace conditions for 19th century women.

Women got paid a little over half what men did, and most believed that they belonged at home. Most working women were young and single, and quit once they got married.

List the major components of the 19th century labor movement.

Knights of Labor, AFL ( wanted fair wages, still used limited strikes, became most important labor group in the country, HATED WOMEN WORKERS). Workers began working together, disregarding race and gender, to set the tone of the workplace.

What was the worst workplace strike?

Haymarket Riot