How did the U.S. become an industrial power?

I. Factors leading to Industrialization Natural resources: abundant iron, coal, lumber, and oil Americans were relatively well-educated Immigration: growing population was a vital labor source Creation of corporations – Americans contribute investment funds through stocks and bonds Capitalism –laissez faire – government didn’t interfere Downside: Social Darwinism; business limited competition through monopolies

II. Railroads Improve Transportation Before Civil War –short RR lines connecting nearby cities After Civil War –nationwide network of RR –Gov’t land grants –Irish and Chinese immigrants –Time zones

Transcontinental Railroad completed in 1869

III. Advances in Communications Telegraph system develops alongside RR Samuel Morse perfects telegraph code by 1900 for personal communication Bell’s telephone

Alexander Graham Bell invents telephone in 1876

IV. Electric Power Thomas Edison makes electric power widely available –invents light bulb, central power station Ice block refrigeration replaced by electric refrigeration

Electricity creates new jobs Electric sewing machine leads to a boom in the textile industry

V. Bessemer Process Easier and cheaper to mass produce steel Brooklyn Bridge constructed in 1883 – connects Brooklyn and Manhattan Flatiron Building completed in 1902 – NYC’s first skyscraper

VI. Impact of Industrialization Urbanization –Skyscrapers, bridges, department stores, tenements, declining birthrate, crime, pollution, Agriculture  Industry Improved standard of living –Leisure and recreation: Phonographs, bicycles, cameras, circus (P.T. Barnum), “Wild West” shows, sports, etc. –Middle class Working class suffers –Poor conditions, low wages, long hours Growing gap between rich and poor No gov’t regulation  monopolies, unscrupulous business practices –Social Darwinism