1. The Triumph of Industry 1865-1914
Chapter 4
The Triumph of Industry

2. Technology & Industrial Growth
Key Terms & People
Entrepreneur
Protective tariff
Laissez faire
Patent
Thomas Edison
Bessemer process
Suspension bridge
Time zone
Mass production
Objectives
Analyze the factors that led to the industrialization of the US in the late 1800’s.
Explain how new inventions and innovations changed Americans’ lives.
Describe the impact of industrialization in the late 1800’s.

3. Encouraging Industrial Growth
What sparked industrialization = The Civil War
More products needed – guns, ammo, medical supplies, uniforms
Food Industry – shipping food long distances
Railroads expanded
More efficient power methods

4. Natural Resources Fuel Growth
Coal Mines
Located along the Eastern Seaboard
Provided fuel to power steam locomotives and factories
Forests
Cut into lumber for construction
In 1859, Edwin Drake drilled the world’s first oil well in Titusville, PA.
Before: obtained from boiling down whale blubber
After: Drilling was cheaper and saved the whales!
The oil industry quickly grew and brought about the kerosene and gasoline industries.

11. The Workforce grows Why? US Population Statistics 600,000 = 1830’s
2 million = 1850’s
+10 million = 1860 – 1890
22 million = 1890 – 1924
Why?

12. Capitalism encourages entrepreneurs
1868 – Ragged Dick, or Street Life in New York by Horatio Alger was published.
The main idea of the novel is that anyone could vault from poverty and obscurity to wealth and fame.
“Rags to Riches”
The “rags to riches” idea depended on the system of capitalism, or free enterprise – individuals own most businesses.
The heroes of capitalism are entrepreneurs – people who invest money in a product or enterprise in order to make a profit.
ENTREPRENEURS FUELED INDUSTRIALIZATION

14. Government Policies Encourage Free Enterprise
Railroads
Government provided millions of acres in return for their promise to quickly link the East and West coasts.
Protective Tariffs – taxes that would make imported goods cost more than those locally made.
Encouraged laissez-faire – allowed businesses to operate under minimal government regulations.
Strong legal system
Enforced private property rights

18. Electricity Transforms Life
Thomas Edison
Established a research laboratory supported by wealthy industrialists, such as J.P. Morgan.
Received more than 1,000 patents for new inventions.
1880 – The Light Bulb was invented.
George Westinghouse
Developed technology to send electricity over long distances.

19. Revolutionizing Communications
Samuel More
1844 – perfected telegraph technology
Alexander Graham Bell
1876 – patented the telephone.
At first, 148 telephone companies strung more than 34,000 miles of wire.
1900 = more than one million telephones
Gugleilmo Marconi
1896 – invented the wireless telegraph
Helped lead to the invention of the radio

20. Steel: A Practical Wonder
Henry Bessemer
1850’s – England
Discovered how to purify iron = STEEL
His method became known as the Bessemer Process.
1890 – US was outproducing British steel manufactures.
Benefits of Steel:
Skyscrapers
Elevators
Suspension Bridge
1st Suspension Bridge = Brooklyn Bridge
Completed in 1883.
Longest bridge in the world at the time of construction!

22. Technology & Transportation
Railroads
1883 – 3 transcontinental railroad lines were available in the US.
Problems?
Result = Time Zones – created in 1884 by 27 countries.
Other Technologies:
Streetcars
Commuter trains
Subways
Automobiles – 1902
Airplaines

23. Changing American Society
Farms
Became mechanized
Fewer farm laborers
More people moved to urban areas
“Industrial North”
Pros: easy access to clothing & supplies that they had previously made by hand
Cons: Higher cost of living, dependent upon cash wages to buy food, performed repetitive work in factories.

24. What about the Environment?
Late 1800’s = New environmental issues emerged.
Industrial waste had risen dramatically.
Mining was destroying the land
Agricultural production had led to soil erosion & dust storms
Congress responded by setting aside protected lands that would become part of the National Park Service.
1872 = Yellowstone National Park – First National Park