The Age of Railroads Made Industrialization possible Contributed to growth of towns and communities Promoted Trade, interdependence and specialization

1869 Transcontinental Engraved on the golden Last Spike of the first transcontinental railroad: "May God continue the unity of our Country as this Railroad unites the two great Oceans of the world."golden Last Spike Dynamited through mountains leveled and grated the prairies built bridges Immigrant Workers –Chinese & Irish –Civil War Veterans –1888: 2000 killed 20,000 injured

Standardization of Time Noon in Boston was 12 minutes later than noon in NYC 1869 Earth’s surface divided into 24 hour time zones 1884 International Conference set worldwide time –Greenwich, EnglandGreenwich, England

U.S. Time Zones 1883 U.S. divided into four time zones –Eastern –Central –Mountain –Pacific – - continents.com/ti me-zones.htmhttp:// - continents.com/ti me-zones.htm

Supporting Industries Iron Coal Steel Lumber Glass Services Labor

Granger Laws Establishing Maximum freight and passenger rates and prohibiting discrimination –1877: Munn vs. Illinois - States won right to regulate the railroads *Federal Government right to regulate private industry to serve public interest! –Problem: Trains are INTERSTATE

Granger Laws 1887: Interstate Commerce Act –Federal Government - supervise RR activities –ICC - Interstate Commerce Commission 1897: Still no maximum rates –Vandervilt/Gould/Cyprus W. Field –Combined companies to form a trust 1906: Maximum Rates Established