Industrial Revolution

Growth in the WestA transcontinental railroad is discussed, connecting east & west coasts.Railroad would encourage people to move west; boost economies out there.

Congress hires two companies to complete railroad.Union Pacific left Omaha & headed west.Central Pacific left Sacramento & headed east.

U.S. Gov’t promised extra land to whichever company reached Promontory Point, Utah first.

Growth in the WestImmigrant workers are used by railroad companies to build tracks ASAP.Most immigrants were limited in work choices due to discrimination.

Both companies meet in Promontory Point in May 1869.Union Pacific reached Utah first.

Growth in the WestWith completion of transcontinental railroad, trade between west & east coast of U.S. increases.

Standard time is also created; U.S. split into 4 different time zones; helpful in making train scheduling easier.

10 yrs. after 1849 Gold Rush, prospectors still headed west (using trains) in search of gold or silver.

Growth in the WestIf an area was thought to have a seam of gold/silver = town population exploded.Population could jump 3,000 to 30,000 in 10 yrs.

Towns (“Boomtowns”) were quickly built to house growing population.Boomtowns were also quickly abandoned once gold was gone.

Growth in the WestBoomtowns initially started off without laws or law enforcement.

In absence of law, vigilante groups were formed to keep the peace.

Vigilante groups would:Catch suspected criminalsPunish them without trial (hanging; shot)

Once town was settled, local sheriff's were elected and laws were put in place by townspeople.

Homework #11. What two companies were hired to build the

transcontinental railroad?2. Where did the transcontinental railroad meet?3. What did the U.S. gov’t promise the company that

finished their part of the railroad first?4. What increased as a result of the completion of the

transcontinental railroad?5. What were created to keep the peace in

boomtowns?

Frontier ClosesIn order to help settle the west, U.S. gov’t passes Homestead Act:160 acres of free land to anyone Had to agree to live and improve the land for 5 years.

Railroad companies were also given land in hopes of stimulating railroad expansion.

Between Homestead Act and railroads expanding, the “Wild West” was now closed.

IndustrializationThroughout the Industrial Revolution, two words begin to become commonplace:MillionaireMonopoly

Monopolies occur when one company gains control of an industry by eliminating competition.

IndustrializationWith railroads expanding, Cornelius Vanderbilt sought to become country’s first railroad baron.

Vanderbilt consolidated* his railroad line with others to build his railroad empire.* - to combine many companies into one.

After he was finished, Vanderbilt’s railroads stretched from New York to the Great Lakes.

IndustrializationAs the railroads expanded and the nation seemed to “grow smaller”, other industries began to flourish.

Henry Bessemer created a process that made making steel cheaper and easier to use.

Railroad companies begin using steel exclusively, making both industries grow.

IndustrializationAndrew Carnegie, a Pennsylvania railroad manager, leaves his job to open a steel mill.Opened his mill just as steel industry “boomed”.

Carnegie names his mill “J. Edgar Thompson Steel Works”.Thompson was president of his biggest customer.

To cheapen costs, Carnegie buys iron plants, coal mines, railroads, train cars.Can now make steel cheaper by owning all aspects of industry.

IndustrializationIn 1901, Carnegie sells off his steel corporation for $480 million to John Pierpont Morgan.Morgan consolidates Carnegies company and others to create U.S. Steel (first billion dollar corp.)

Homework #21. What act was passed that gave anyone 160 acres of

free land if they stayed for 5 years?2. What is a monopoly?3. Who was the first “railroad baron”?4. Why did Andrew Carnegie name his steel mill after

his biggest customer?5. What billion dollar corporation was created after

Carnegie sold his steel mill?

IndustrializationAs nation “shrinks”, communication also advances due to Samuel Morse and Alexander Graham Bell.

Samuel Morse creates Morse code using the telegraph.

Morse code is a series of dots & dashes to communicate through telegram.

While Morse code made it easier to communicate, Alexander Graham Bell took it a step further.

IndustrializationIn 1876, Bell finally perfected his invention of the telephone after years of failed attempts.

Invention happened by accident:Bell spilled battery acid on himself in his lab.His assistant, Thomas Watson, was in another room.Spoke “Mr. Watson come here. I want to see you”.Watson immediately came in to help.

IndustrializationWithin 4 years of the invention, over 50,000 phones were sold to the public.

Because of the phone industry, switchboards are created giving women job opportunities.

IndustrializationOther inventors of the era included:

Isaac Singer:George Eastman: Christopher Latham Sholes: typewriterJan E. Matzeliger: shoemaking machineElisha Otis: elevator brakeJames Ritty: cash registerJohn Thurman:

camerasewing machine

vacuum cleaner

Industrialization3 other inventors of the era changed the world forever with their inventions:Orville & Wilbur WrightHenry FordThomas Edison

The Wright Bros. accomplished the first engine-powered flight at Kitty Hawk, N.C. in 1903.Had studied flights of birds for inspiration of how to make a plane fly.

IndustrializationHenry Ford wanted to create an inexpensive car that families could afford; he creates the Model T car.

In order to speed up production, Ford creates the assembly line.Eventually were making Model T’s in 5 minutes.

Model T allowed people to explore the country more easily.Population begins to relocate due to ease of transportation.

IndustrializationThe greatest inventor of the era, however, was Thomas Edison.

In his lifetime, he patented over 1,000 inventions/ideas.

Some of Edison’s inventions include:Phonograph (record player)Motion picture projectorStorage battery

IndustrializationEdison’s greatest invention, however, was the usage of electricity.

Light bulbs had already been invented by other inventors but were unstable and too bright.Edison perfected a safe filament for the light bulbs.

With the era of innovation underway, the U.S. takes a leap forward in the world’s leading countries.

Homework #31. How did people communicate using telegraphs?2. Who invented the camera? Vacuum cleaner?3. Why did the telephone change communications?4. Besides, the Model T, what did Henry Ford create

that changed the automotive industry?5. What discovery did the Wright Bros. find?6. How did the industrial revolution affect America?

CorporationsAs the U.S. moved forward through invention, America also sees more of another invention: corporations.

Corporations are businesses owned by a group of shareholders*.* - people who buy shares of stock in the company.

U.S. Steel was the first corporation created, but not the only one in the U.S.

CorporationsAnother industry begins to take off in the U.S. thanks to the discovery of a natural resource: oil.

John Rockefeller builds an oil empire based out of OhioCalled Standard Oil Company (1863).

In order to eliminate competition, Rockefeller:Buys out other refineriesGives rebates to railroads who ships his oil cheaperSells his oil at low prices; puts others out of business

CorporationsTo completely control the oil industry, Standard Oil became a trust*.* - Legal body created to hold stock in other companies.

By 1880, Rockefeller controlled 95% of the oil in the U.S.

Rockefeller (nicknamed Robber Baron) had created an oil monopoly.

Corporations With more financial power in the hands of only a few

men, U.S. public becomes uneasy about monopolies. By 1900, 1/3 of U.S. industry owned by 1% of population.

Big business debate:

Pros:• Business was centralized.• Cut down competition.• Created economic stability.

Cons:• No competition = No price-control.• Quality of goods could diminish.• Availability of jobs.

CorporationsU.S. gov’t gets involved after hearing complaints of public.

In 1890, Sherman Anti-Trust Act is passed with two goals: Promote business competitionEliminate monopolies

Sherman Act fails to define what a monopoly is; ZERO monopolies are broken up.

CorporationsAs nation industrializes, wealth followed for investors.

Rags-to-riches stories were rare, but captured world’s imagination.

Men like Rockefeller & Carnegie came from families of privilege:Upper classCollege-educatedConnected

CorporationsAs fewer people gained more money, poverty in the U.S. skyrocketed.

Poverty affected:Middle-lower class familiesMinorities/ImmigrantsAgricultural families

Mark Twain & Charles Warner nickname Industrial Era as the “Gilded Age*”.* - To gild is to coat in gold; can hide object’s lesser value

Homework #41. What is a corporation?2. What are shareholders?3. Who created a monopoly of the oil industry?4. What 3 methods did Rockefeller use to eliminate his

competition?5. Why was Rockefeller owning 95% of the oil industry a bad

idea for consumers (use pros/cons of monopolies to answer)?

6. Why did the Sherman Anti-Trust Act stop ZERO monopolies?

7. What 3 groups of people were affected by poverty?8. Why was Industrial Revolution nicknamed the “Gilded Age”?

UrbanizationAs population & immigration grow, cities become more crowded in 1890’s.

To accommodate increased population, skyscrapers dominate skyline in major cities.Provided more housing/workspace for more people.

Electricity also changed transportation.Electric street cars moved people throughout citiesEra of public transportation began

ImmigrationThe “dream” of a new life with a good-paying job lured people to the U.S.

Most immigrants during 1890’s traveled to U.S. from eastern Europe (Poland, Russia, Italy).Most came from Ireland, England, & Germany before 1890.

As immigrants arrived in the U.S., they were taken to Ellis Island.

ImmigrationAs immigrants arrived at Ellis Island, they were:

Given physicals (if too sick, sent back home)Asked to give name, occupation, financial status.

Most immigrants were allowed to stay in U.S.; tried to find work through people from old country.

Most immigrants took classes on becoming citizens:Took English classesTook classes on American gov’t.

ImmigrationAs more immigrants poured into the country, some native-born Americans grow more prejudiced.

Native-born Americans feared:New immigrants would ruin democracyNew immigrants because of religious viewsHaving to compete with immigrants for jobs

Immigrants often took whatever jobs available; typically worked in sweatshops for $10 a week.

Problems of UrbanizationDue to overcrowding, low class people began living in tenements*. * - Overcrowded & run-down housing.

To save costs, tenements were built cheaply & close together.

Tenements often went without:Running waterRegular garbage pickupUnderground sewage

Problems of UrbanizationMultiple tenements in an area of a city was labeled a slum.

People living in slums were constantly threatened by:DiseasesNatural disasters

Once Americans found out about living conditions in slums, reforms were begun.

Problems of UrbanizationJane Addams created the Hull House in Chicago, the first settlement house in U.S.Served as model for others to follow.

To help those living in slums, settlements houses offered:DaycareEducationHealth care

Problems of UrbanizationPolitical machines* also were another issue of growing cities. * - illegal gangs that influenced votes to control local gov’t.

How political machines operated:Trade favors for votesBreak election rules to win seatsDemanded bribesUsed blackmail to affect gov’t actions

Problems of UrbanizationDespite illegal actions, political machines helped build:

RoadsSchoolsSewersOrphanages

Political machines also helped immigrants find jobs & housing.

Homework #51. Where were immigrants taken to as they arrived in

the U.S.?2. Where did most immigrants end up working after

arriving in U.S.? How much did they earn per week?3. What are tenements?4. What were two threats to people living in tenements?5. What 3 services did settlements houses offer?6. What is a political machine?7. What was a positive & negative about political

machines?

DiscriminationThroughout the south, blacks were also constant targets of lynch mobs. In 15 year span, 1,500 blacks were lynched in south.

“Jim Crow” laws were created to enforce segregation* throughout the U.S. * - separation of races in public places.

DiscriminationIn 1892, Homer Plessy sued a railroad company over segregated seating.Plessey argued it was a violation of his 14th Amendment right

(Equal rights under the law—not based on race).

Supreme Court hears case titled Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896.

Court rules that “separate but equal” facilities didn’t violate the 14th Amendment.

DiscriminationAfter ruling, Jim Crow laws are now legal and enforced throughout the U.S.

Under Jim Crow laws, blacks were forced to use separate:RestroomsDrinking fountainsTrolley seatsRestaurantsLaundromatsSchools

DiscriminationUnder the “separate but equal” ruling, facilities and services for blacks were far from equal.

White-controlled governments allowed buildings, services, and facilities to decay.

To fight the injustice, blacks organize groups to bring their plight to the gov’t & public.

DiscriminationLeaders such as W.E.B. Du Bois & Booker T. Washington led the movement against discrimination.

In 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was created.

Labor UnionsWorkers in the Industrial Revolution faced jobs that had:10-14 hour work daysWork 6 out of 7 days per weekNo sick daysLow payUnsafe, unhealthy working conditionsDull, repetitive jobs

Business owners ignore putting safety equipment in factories to save money.

Labor UnionsEvery industry had its share of health risks:

Coal miners breathing coal dustTextile workers breathing in airborne lintGarment workers who suffered from poor eyesight due to poor

lighting at workAdults missing fingers, hands, or feet because of accidents

involving machines.

Workers who became ill or injured were usually fired; most hid injuries/illness to keep jobs.

Labor UnionsMost kids, at age 13-15, began working in factories to help families earn more money.

Children were priority hires for factories because:Cheaper laborSmaller bodies/fingers to unjam machinesNo child-labor laws meant they could work as long as adults.

Labor Unions2 Labor unions are created to help the cause of the workers:Knights of Labor American Federation of Labor

Both unions were created for people from different trades (careers) to increase their benefits.

At first, unions were for men only; by 1878 blacks and women were being represented by both unions.

Labor UnionsWorkers, and labor unions, were able to increase benefits and salaries through the use of strikes*. * - Workers who refuse to work until they’re paid.

As workers protest for better wages – profits for business’ suffered.

Company owners would often call in police to break up mobs of protesting workers.Violence would often erupt between workers & police.

Labor UnionsWhile strikes halted production, they were effective in improving the workplace.

As a result of continued strikes, Union workers began to receive:Higher wages/minimum wageSick daysVacation daysShorter working hoursSafer working conditions

Homework #61. How did “separate but equal” allow racism to continue?2. What organization did W.E.B Dubois & Booker T.

Washington create?3. Why were children priority hires for factories?4. What 2 labor unions were created to help workers?5. Why would labor unions strike?6. Of all the benefits union workers received, which one is

most important, in your opinion?