Standard 11

The student will describe the growth of big business and

technological innovations after Reconstruction.

The Growth of the Railroad The growth of

railroads allowed for the growth of business.– The transportation of

goods became faster, cheaper, and more efficient.

Steel Andrew Carnegie was

the man who controlled almost all of the steel made.

Big business was able to use the rail system to quickly transport goods around the country and drive out competition.

Westward Expansion and Settlement

The construction of railways as far west as Kansas opened a booming market for beef and the requisite processing centers

This and other businesses led to increase migration to Western states.

The Transcontinental Railroad This was to be the first

railroad to stretch across the whole of the US.

The Central Pacific Railroad began laying track eastward out of Sacramento.

The Union Pacific Railroad began work toward the west in Omaha.

At Promontory Point, Utah on May 10, 1869, a golden spike was driven to officially connect the two railroads.

Immigrant Labor The Irish were

used to build the Union Pacific line across the Great Plains.

The Chinese were used to build the Central Pacific line across the Sierra Nevada.

The mega corporations used many different tools to drive

their competition out of business and hurt consumers.

Monopolies – complete control of a product or service.

Trusts – a group of separate companies that are placed under the control of a single managing board.

The Standard Oil Trust In 1870 John D.

Rockefeller and several associates formed the Standard Oil Company.

In 1882 the owners of Standard Oil and other Oil companies turned over their assets to a board of nine trustees.

In return, they were promised a share of the profits of the new organization.

The Rise of Laissez-Faire Laissez Faire capitalism

advocated for a hands off approach to regulating business

Social Darwinism was thought to rule the world of business, those most able would rise to the top

Thomas Edison Electric power

became widely available because of Thomas Edison.

His work on the light bulb and alternating current changed daily life for all Americans.

Edison also invented the phonograph and motion pictures.

America the Story of US

I-respond NOW

Railroad workers laid some 150,000 miles of railroad track following the Civil War. The track linked cities and small towns across America. What was one effect of the growth of railroads in the United States?A. Greater use of the Oregon TrailB. Reduced employment in industryC. Increased migration west of the Mississippi

River.D. A decrease in the amount of farm goods sent

to market

In what way did railroads and advances in communication affect geographic patterns in the United States?A. They stalled the need for new

inventions.B. They assisted in maintaining cultural

traditions in an area.C. They changed the physical

characteristics of a region.D. They stalled migration.

Chinese and Irish immigrants are remembered for A. Their contributions to the steel

industry.B. Their contributions to building the

nation’s railroads.C. Their refusal to work for giant’s of big

business.D. Working together to found the nation’s

first trust.

In 1862, Congress passed the Pacific Railway Act to allow for construction of the transcontinental railroad. What was the impact of this legislation?A. Regulation of the railroad industryB. Rapid westward expansionC. An end to Chinese immigrationD. A decline in big city growth

What was the effect of the growth of monopolies?A. They increased competition among

similar business.B. They reduced the need for government

intervention.C. They spread equal wealth among the

entire population.D. They reduced the number of small

businesses within an industry.

What was the purpose of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890?A. To assist robber baronsB. To eliminate government intervention

in businessC. To protect trade and the growth of

monopoliesD. To eliminate big business monopolies

What effect did Thomas Edison’s work have on the 19th century?A. It expanded the growth of government.B. It encouraged the growth of industry

and cities.C. It stalled westward movement into

California.D. It encouraged the growth of mining

towns.