Aim #45: How did the United States become a mature industrial society in the decades after the Civil War? Do now! Read the article on the Industrial Revolution and answer the accompanying questions. Have out your hw packet from last night and be ready to discuss your answers to the question “which factor had the great impact on rapid economic growth”

(I) Issues that had an impact on American growth after the Civil War included: a. Western Expansion: The settlement of western territory. b. Industrialization: The development of factory-based, specialized production. c. Urbanization: The growth of major cities as commercial and residential centers Brooklyn Bridge completed in 1883 by father/son team named John and Washington Roebling…on an unrelated note, there’s a nice restaurant under the bridge where Mrs. O’Malia got engaged 

(II) Why did the U.S. industrialize so rapidly between 1870 and 1900? a. America had abundant natural resources: coal, iron ore, oil, timber, rivers b. Large and growing labor supply (workers) c. Widespread faith in capitalism: laissez-faire approach by government d. A surge in technological innovation (Thomas Edison, Andrew Graham Bell) e. entrepreneurs such as Andrew Carnegie (steel) and John D. Rockefeller (oil)

(II) The Federal government promoted industrial and agricultural development by: a. passing high tariffs to protect American industry b. army removed Indians on land desired by farmers and mining companies c. granting land and subsidies to railroad companies ($ given by the government to help to an industry or business so that the price of a commodity or service may remain low or competitive 1. opened up new market: western farmers can buy goods from the east 2. East coast can buy food from the west 3. more jobs d. problem: railroads become so powerful become 1st target of the federal govt’s attempt to control “Big Business” (consolidation: Carnegie)

1st Transcontinental Railroad completed in 1869

Railway lines before the Civil War Railway lines in 1890

Pictured in this cartoon are William Vanderbilt (middle); Jay Gould (bottom right leg) and Cyrus Fields (left leg) WRAP UP QUESTIONS The title of this cartoon is a pun on a statute in Greece titled “the Colossus of Rhodes” (notice it says “the Modern Colossus of (Rail) Roads” Do you think the artist meant the comparison as a compliment or a criticism? Why? The reins held by the railroad magnet attach not only to the trains but to the tracks and the railroad station. What does this convey about the magnates’ control of the railroads?