1. 2nd Industrial Revolution
Vocabulary Part One

2. Second Industrial Revolution
A period of rapid growth in manufacturing and industry in the late 1800’s.

3. Pony Express
A system of messengers that carried mail between relay stations on a route 2,000-miles long in 1860 and 1861.

4. Transcontinental Railroad
A railroad system that crossed the continental United States; construction began in 1863.

5. Railroad Baron
A powerful business leader who controlled a major railroad.

6. Standard Gague
4 feet 8.5 inches, the distance between rails agreed upon by all railroad companies.

7. Pool
A group sharing in some activity, for example, among railroad barons who made secret agreements and set rates among themselves.

8. Rebate
A discount or return of part of a payment.

9. Patent
An exclusive right to make or sell an invention.

10. Consolidation
The practice of combining different companies into one.

11. Bessemer Process
A process developed in the 1850’s that led to faster, cheaper steel production.