Technological Innovation in the Gilded Age (APUSH Review Unit 6 Topic 5)

Overview

• Focus on technological advancements during the Gilded Age (1865-1898).
• Key period in American history characterized by industrial growth and innovation.

Major Technological Innovations

Railroads

• Railroads were crucial for transporting mass-produced goods across long distances.
• Government support included financial aid and land grants.
• Four transcontinental railroads were constructed, linking the East and West, creating a national market.

Steel Production

• Introduction of the Bessemer process by Henry Bessemer enabled stronger and more durable steel.
• This innovation led to enhanced infrastructure development, especially in railroad construction.

Communication

• Expansion of the telegraph system facilitated instantaneous communication over long distances.
• The creation of transatlantic telegraph wires connected Europe and America, expanding markets.
• Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, further revolutionizing communication.

Natural Resources

• Increased access to coal and oil supported industrial activities and technological advancements.

Impact on Society and Economy

• Mass production became feasible, leading to a shift from local to global markets.
• The transportation and communication improvements contributed to economic growth and national integration.

Conclusion

• The Gilded Age was a transformative period due to technological advancements that shaped the modern American economy.
• These innovations laid the foundation for future industrial and economic developments in the United States.