I CAN identify innovations in agricultural technology and business practices and assess their impact on the West. Michael Quiñones, NBCT

Macro Concepts Change-the transformation of a person, place or thing. Transportation-the willing or forced relocation of an object to a different area. Micro Concepts Industrialization-the process of people producing things using mass production and machinery. National economy-a financial system controlled by a central government. Vertical Integration-the complete control of all aspects/parts of a company’s business. Horizontal Integration-the complete control of an entire type of business [ex. An oil company takes over other oil companies]. Michael Quiñones, NBCT

Barbed Wire Barbed Wire  On the Western Frontier cattle ranchers used barbed wire to contain and fence in their livestock to prevent them from being stolen from cattle rustlers [cow thieves].  Border and property disputes occurred because there was less open free range for cattle grazing.  The invention of barbed wire was developed by Joseph Glidden as a way to improve fence strength of the existing types of fence wire. Michael Quiñones, NBCT

Windmills Windmills Windmills were used to harness the power of the wind for electricity and farm machinery. The energy generated by the technology was free [after the cost of purchase] and renewable. Also, no pollution was created as a result of using windmills. It allowed farmers to be energy independent. Michael Quiñones, NBCT

Refrigerated Railroad Cars  Railroad companies invented a refrigerated car in order to preserve crops from spoiling.  Railroads were able to charge more for the freight and earn more money.  Farmers were able to earn more money because their crops did not perish and as a result saved in order to be sold. Michael Quiñones, NBCT

Farmers’ Cooperatives Farmers’ Cooperatives  In order to create more opportunities for poor farmers to succeed despite large odds against them cooperatives were founded.  The purpose of a cooperative was to pool [gather/combine] resources such as land, cash and equipment.  Farmers could borrow money from the cooperatives to buy seed, fertilizer or workers. Example of farming cooperative Click on link below Michael Quiñones, NBCT

Andrew Carnegie Andrew Carnegie  Andrew Carnegie was a steel magnate who owned the largest steel company in the United States: U.S. Steel Corporation.  Carnegie created a business strategy called vertical integration.  Vertical integration was strategy that combined separate elements of Carnegie’s business under one organization. The efficiency could not be matched and competitors were eliminated.  Money was saved by Carnegie because he did not have to use outside companies at any time to make and eventually sell his product. Sale Production Labor Raw materials Michael Quiñones, NBCT

John D. Rockefeller John D. Rockefeller John D. Rockefeller was an oil baron who monopolized the oil industry. His pricing model and trust strategy eventually drove his competitors out of business. He combined his operations with willing competitors and reduced his prices below cost [losing money temporarily]. When all competition was eliminated he raised oil prices to whatever he wanted. Customers had no other options and had to pay whatever he charged. Horizontal integration was used by Rockefeller to dominate an entire industry by allying with selected competitors into trusts. His dominant business spread out and took over competing businesses. Dominant business Competing business Michael Quiñones, NBCT

RAFT paper RAFT paper Select one of the following options to write a first person narrative about. [1] Joseph Glidden, the inventor of barbed wire, describing how you believe your invention will improve farmers’ businesses or you’re a cattle rancher who uses the Open Range to graze your cattle and this invention is a huge obstacle. [2] You’re a farmer deciding whether to invest in a very expensive windmill and you are weighing the costs of the device to decide if its worth the money. [3] You’re a railroad company executive who has invested millions of dollars on new refrigerated cars or you are a corn or pig farmer who is deciding how and why this will help you make more money. [4] You’re Andrew Carnegie and planning to unveil your vertical integration business plan and want to explain how it will benefit your company or you’re a steel competitor of Carnegie and must find a way to stay in business now. [5] You’re John D. Rockefeller and planning to unveil your horizontal integration business plan and want to explain how it will benefit your company or you’re an oil competitor of Rockefeller and must find a way to stay in business now.

Image sources   