The New Industrial Age 1865-1924

A New Industrial Age Life at the end of the nineteenth century was changing rapidly Availability of natural resources, new inventions, and a receptive market combined to fuel a boom Large businesses grew larger, and workers united to demand higher pay, shorter hours, and better working conditions

From Cottage Industry…

To Factory System

Technology

Cotton Gin Whitney’s cotton gin easily separated cotton fibers from the seeds, a job previously done by hand

Steam Engine An internal combustion engine that used boiling water to produce motion Used in: Locomotives Factories Mines Ships

Electricity Provided power for machinery Allowed plants to be located anywhere Improved quality of life Spurred innovation “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration”

Telephone The telephone replaced Morse’s telegraph and truly connected the nation

Steelmaking Process Bessemer and Kelly developed a new process for making steel Lighter More flexible Rust resistant

Industrial Growth Between 1865 and 1900, the United States experienced unprecedented economic growth In 1860 manufacturers were worth about $2 billion – by 1900 they were worth over $11 billion Iron ore production nearly quadrupled from 7 million long-tons to 27 million long-tons Steel output rose from less than 1 million tons to over 11 million tons GNP tripled during that time Railroad mileage increased from 30,000 to 250,000 miles

Canals Canals are used to connect two bodies of water They allow shippers to transport large amounts of cargo The first major canal was the Erie Canal, linking the Hudson River to Lake Erie (1825) Soon canals connected the midwest to the east coast and gulf coast

Railroads The transcontinental railroad made travel across the country faster, cheaper and more efficient

In 1856 railroads reached the Mississippi River By 1869 the first transcontinental railroad was completed, meeting at Promontory Point, Utah

Linking America The Good The Bad Improved travel Promoted trade Allowed for specialization New towns developed The Bad Company towns Corruption Price fixing

The Patrons of Husbandry Commonly known as “The Grange” Farmers banded together to fight: Transportation costs Lending costs Equipment costs Seed costs Price fixing

The National Grange Grangers created a political movement to protect their interests Offered farmers education, fellowship, and support, and encouraged economic self-sufficiency Looked to gets states to limit railroad rates and did get many laws passed Munn v. Illinois Railroads put pressure on the state legislatures and the laws were repealed Interstate Commerce Act