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Industrialization in Late 19th Century America

Apr 8, 2025

Heimler's History: Unit 6 - Industrialization in America

Overview

  • Focus on the industrialization of America during the late 19th century.
  • Exploration of the causes and effects of industrialization.
  • Emphasis on technological advancements.

Changes in Industry

  • Shift from localized production to mass production for global markets.
  • Industrialization allowed for goods to be mass-produced and sold worldwide.

Key Technological Innovations

Railroads

  • Central to creating a national market by facilitating transportation.
  • Post-Civil War: Railroad miles increased five-fold.
  • Federal Government supported with land grants and subsidies (170 million acres).
  • Four new transcontinental railroads built by the end of the century.
    • Connected Nebraska to California, New Orleans to Los Angeles, Kansas City to Los Angeles, and Minnesota to Washington.

Steel Production

  • Henry Bessemer's process (1850s) revolutionized steel production.
  • Bessemer Process: Blasts air through molten iron for stronger steel.
  • Resulted in higher quantity and quality steel production.

Natural Resources

  • Coal and oil were key energy sources.
  • Anthracite coal from Western Pennsylvania was significant.
  • Oil eventually surpassed coal, especially for automobiles.

Communication Advancements

  • Telegraph: Invented by Samuel Morse (1844), expanded in this period.

    • Telegraph wires expanded, linking U.S. regions.
    • Trans-Atlantic cable connected America and Europe, fostering international markets.
  • Telephone: Invented by Alexander Graham Bell (1876).

    • Bell Telephone Company founded.
    • By 1880, approximately 50,000 telephones in use in America.

Conclusion

  • Technological advancements were pivotal in the industrial transformation of the U.S.
  • These innovations laid the foundation for a national and international market system.

Study Tips

  • Watch more Unit 6 videos for a comprehensive understanding.
  • Subscribe to the Heimler's History channel for ongoing updates.