Introduction to the Industrial Revolution “Workers Celebration Completion of the Transcontinental Railroad” Railroad workers gather in Promontory, Utah, to celebrate the completion of the first Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869

The Industrial Revolution What? Major change in the economy caused by the shift to industry with labor-saving machines When? Really got going in Europe in the mid to late 1700’s Really got going in America after the Civil War (1860s +)

The Industrial Revolution Railroads Industrial Revolution Wheel Why? Eight reasons Really took off after the Civil War in U.S. Ex. In 1840 US had 3,000 miles of track and by 1860 30,000 Started many business practices that made the Industrial Revolution possible

Nations built railroads in colonies to extract resources New Lands Industrial Revolution Wheel Why? Eight reasons Nations built railroads in colonies to extract resources Federal government gives western land free to railroads to encourage businesses & settlement Railroads took farmers out to their land, carried their crops to market, & brought them manufactured goods

Industrial Revolution Wheel Railroads New Lands Industrial Revolution Wheel Why? Eight reasons Immi-gration Railroad companies advertise in Europe to attract immigrants to new lands Most immigrants settle in cities, joining the urban industrial workforce

Industrial Revolution Wheel Railroads New Lands Industrial Revolution Wheel Why? Eight reasons Immi-gration Urbanization Railroads made cities possible, providing them with the food they needed, raw materials, and new markets For 1st time, more people have non-farming than farming jobs

Which cause do you think is most important so far? Explain. Thinking Slide: Which cause do you think is most important so far? Explain.

Why? Eight reasons Steel rails – safer and cheaper than iron Railroads New Lands Industrial Revolution Wheel Why? Eight reasons Immi-gration Urbanization Innovations & Inventions Steel rails – safer and cheaper than iron More examples: Cash register, typewriter, refrigerator car, Telephone, Light bulb, Phonograph

Railroads New Lands Industrial Revolution Wheel Why? Eight reasons Immi-gration New Business Practices Urbanization Innovations & Inventions “Pool” – agreement to divide the business in a given area and share the profits Where there is $ there is corruption and railroads introduced much of both

Why? Eight reasons “Survival of the Fittest” Railroads New Lands Industrial Revolution Wheel Why? Eight reasons Immigration Social Darwinism New Business Practices Urbanization Innovations & Inventions “Survival of the Fittest” The rich have more money because they run better businesses

Why? Eight reasons Laissez-Faire “Hands Off!” Railroads Government Laissez -Faire New Lands Industrial Revolution Wheel Why? Eight reasons Immi-gration Social Darwinism New Business Practices Urbanization Innovations & Inventions Laissez-Faire “Hands Off!” Government did not interfere with the economy and businesses

Thinking Slide: Do you think we could use more “Laissez faire” economic policies today? Explain.