Chapter 19 Section 1
U.S. Industrial Revolutions 2nd Industrial Revolution Period of rapid industrial growth in the US during the late 1800s Steel, oil, railroad expansion, electricity, autos and planes US becomes world’s industrial leader by 1900 1st Industrial Revolution Early 1800s, begun in Britain Products now made by machines rather than by hand Cottage work to factories Transportation changes
The Industrial Revolution in America Why does this 2nd Revolution take place in the U.S.? Plentiful natural resources (forests, water supply, minerals) Growing population (31-76 million between 1860-1900) Improved transportation (railroads, canals) High immigration New inventions Investment capital (money loaned to businesses by banks & wealthy) Government assistance (tariffs, land grants, subsidies)
Rise of the Steel industry William Kelly and Henry Bessemer develop new process for making steel Used only 1/7 of coal previously used Output increased by 500 times (plows, barbed wire, beams, RR ties)
Electricity Generators in 1870’s – produce electric current Thomas Edison invents a way for practical electric lighting/replaces gaslights Alexander Graham Bell transmits human speech using electricity