Heimler's History: Industrialization in the U.S.
Overview
- Focus on the industrialization of America in Unit 6 of the AP U.S. History curriculum.
- Discussion on the causes and effects of industrialization.
Key Technological Innovations
Railroads
- Railroads were the major technological innovation that drove industrialization.
- Created a national market for sales due to easy transportation of goods.
- Post-Civil War: Railroad miles increased five-fold.
Government Role
- Federal government supported railroad expansion with land grants and subsidies.
- Approximately 170 million acres granted for railroads.
- Four new transcontinental railroads built by the end of the century.
- Connections: Nebraska-California, New Orleans-Los Angeles, Kansas City-Los Angeles, Minnesota-Washington.
Steel Production
- Henry Bessemer's invention in the 1850s drastically improved steel quality.
- Bessemer Process: Blasting air through molten iron to produce better steel.
Access to Natural Resources
- Key resources: Coal and oil.
- Coal was initially the main energy source for industrialization, especially anthracite coal from Pennsylvania.
- Oil later surpassed coal and became essential for automobiles.
Communications
- Telegraph: Invented by Samuel Morse in 1844; expanded significantly during this period.
- Trans-Atlantic cable connected America to Europe, fostering international markets.
- Telephone: Invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876.
- Bell Telephone Company established.
- By 1880, 50,000 telephones were in use in the U.S.
Conclusion
- Technological innovations during this period laid the groundwork for the expansion of industry.
- Focus on the evolution from local/regional markets to a national/international market system.
- Further exploration of these topics available in Unit 6 playlist.
Call to Action
- Encouragement to subscribe for ongoing video content.
These notes summarize the key points on the industrialization of America, focusing on technological advances and their impacts on the economy and society.