Technology and Reforms of the Gilded Age U.S. History II OHS

Typewriter and Telephone The typewriter allowed for quicker and clearer communication across the business world. The telephone, invented by Alexander Graham Bell, allowed for instant communication over huge distances. Opened up jobs for women as switchboard operators and within 10 years of its invention over 250,000 phones were in use

Thomas Edison Edison was more of an innovator than an inventor He put inventions of others to practical use His typewriter allowed for faster typing, his phone worked with longer distances. And his work with electricity made it cheaper and his light bulb lasted longer than any previous models

Civil War Improvements The Civil War led to the creation an later explosion of the canned food industry Clothing sizes and shoe sizes were standardized to make clothing soldiers easier, this was now passed on to the public. Clothing and shoes were now being produced on a mass scale rather than in local shops, making them cheaper.

Oil and Steel The Bessemer process allowed for quicker production of steel making it cheaper than iron. Oil use now boomed due to its need as a lubricant in everything from machines to railroads. Oil was also needed as a fuel source for lamps and the production of electricity

Railroads Railroads now began replacing iron with steel Rail width was standardized so all trains could travel on any rail In 30 years over 160,000 miles of tracks were built This boom and standardization made railroads cheaper to run so goods transported by them were also cheaper. Railroads also helped improve the steel, coal, lumber, and oil industries!

Civil Service Reform President Rutherford B. Hayes began the process of civil service reform in He limited the power of elected officials to appoint whoever they wanted to unelected office. He also vetoed legislation from Congress that had riders attached. [Irrelevant amendments added on to a bill] This all helped cut down corruption and again balanced the power between Congress and the President

The Pendleton Act The Pendleton Act finally eliminated the spoils system [A process where a new administration appointed their friends to public office and not necessarily the most qualified individuals] This act laid out rules for how civil service workers would be appointed. These rules included: Open competition for each job Examination of each candidates merits And no removal from office for political reasons

Cleveland Continues Reform Grover Cleveland was elected president in His first order of business was to appoint qualified individuals to public office He also helped pass the Presidential Succession Act [Outlined clear line of succession if the president and VP died] He strengthened presidential independence and reclaimed public land from private companies who had not lived to the terms of their land grants.

Education Reform They began working towards compulsory attendance The school year, which had been squeezed between fall harvesting and spring planting, was now lengthened Increased number of high schools…built over 200 in thirty years. But much work still needed to be done because the average child still only received 5 years of school by 1900.

Education Reform (cont.) Colleges and Universities were also improved and expanded across the country Many universities fixed curricula and allowed students to choose their own course of study Government also gave land grants to states to help finance the creation of public state colleges Many of the new western colleges also opened their doors to women too.

Women’s Movements In addition to education, women also fought to make alcohol illegal in the U.S. and get the right to vote. The Temperance Movement had many strong organizations such as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) They even ran a candidate for president in Women’s Suffrage was also a major battle ground between 1870 and It was voted on many times and failed but by 1900 four states had begun to allow women to vote!