The Industrial Age Latter half of 19th century

Questions What new technologies developed in the latter part

of the 19th century? How did technology impact industrialization? Who were the major industrialists of the period? How did industrialists gain a competitive edge over

their competition? What did the government do to address issues in

industry?

The Expansion of Industry – new technologies New fuels helped industry grow

Kerosene was refined from oil or coal to run machines

The Bessemer process – iron was turned into steel The process made steel cheaper and easier to

produce Steel became central to industrialization and

urban development Railroads, buildings, bridges, equipment, etc.

Electricity Thomas Edison 1870’s

Invented the incandescent light bulb Power plants were built to generate electricity Electricity was used to fuel

Railways Public transportation Businesses Factories

Communication Telephone was invented in 1876

Alexander Graham Bell

Typewriter was invented in 1867

These two inventions radically changed office work More women began working in offices By 1910, 40% of clerical (office) workers were

women 10 hour work day Had more leisure time

Railroads Railroads helped stimulate economic growth

Steel industry Iron industry Coal mining – fuel Lumber industry – construction Glass Agricultural products could be more easily

transported – better distribution Expansion of markets

Urban growth Railroads stimulated urban growth

More people moved to the cities in search of economic and social opportunities

Invention of the Pullman car allowed passenger to travel in sleeping cars for overnight trips

The Brooklyn Bridge

Tensions The railroads and agriculture were often at

odds over transportation costs Farmers resented being charged high prices to

transport their products Railroads often used deception and bribery to

gain an advantage The government finally moved to regulate

both transportation and industry to protect the public. – enacted new laws and regulations

The Rise of Big Business

Major industrialists Andrew Carnegie – steel industry J.P. Morgan- steel industry John D. Rockefeller – oil industry

Standard Oil Cornelius Vanderbilt- railroads

Andrew Carnegie Scottish immigrant

Carnegie Steel Outstanding manger Generous patron of

American society Culture Education Libraries The arts

Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Hall in New York City

John D. Rockefeller Built Standard Oil

Company

Stand Oil Stock Certificate

Rockefeller Center in New York

Cornelius Vanderbilt Railroad Empire Vanderbilt University

in Nashville

Biltmore House in Asheville, NC

Vanderbilt University

JP Morgan Steel Finance

Social Darwinism and its impact Social Darwinism emerged in the latter part of the

1800’s- Darwin’s theory of evolution – natural selection idea of Herbert Spencer- English philosopher

“survival of the fittest” - Herbert Spencer Proposed that people in society were different Some were better suited for success Free competition and very limited government

involvement would allow the best people to succeed

“Captains or industry” or “robber barons”?

Many felt that industry was taking advantage of the government and the public by using unfair and dishonest practices

The major industrialists claimed that they were creating economic growth and generously supporting the development of American society (patronage)

How did the major industrialist achieve their goals? Pushed the government to allow free

competition in business (capitalism) Wanted limited government regulation Based on Social Darwinism’s idea of “survival of

the fittest” in economic competition Industrialists moved to gain control over their

specific industry - increasing profits Monopolies – one company controlled all the

competition in that industry Trusts- different companies agreed to work together

Rockefeller

Vanderbilt

Big industry/business

lobbying the

government to

enact laws

favorable to

their interests

and profits

How did the US Government Respond? 1890 Congress passed the Sherman

Antitrust Act Outlawed trusts

the law, however, was often not enforced

Workers – Labor issues Workers worked long hours in dangerous

conditions Wages were low Women and children often had to work to

support the family Labor groups began to organize to improve

things for workers- Unions

Labor Unions pushed for 8 hour work day Equal pay for women Higher wages Better working conditions Union members would use different tactics to

achieve their goals Strikes – refusal to work

Labor unrest Mass meetings sometimes became violent Federal troops were called in on occasion to

maintain order Striking workers sometimes lost their jobs Some business leaders banned union meetings

or fired union workers By 1910 union membership had dropped to

5% of workers

North and South still divided Industrial growth boomed in the North

Lots of money for investment in industry and business

There were more cities There was an abundant supply of

workers Good transportation infrastructure

The South remained economically depressed with its economy focused on agriculture Lack of investment capital (money) Fewer cities Jim Crow laws kept blacks and whites

segregated and limited political and economic advancement