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"No money, mo' problems".
The Industrial Revolution was the fuel to the economic fire. The Industrial Revolution gave birth to the Transcontinental Railroad, new forms of business, corruption, and labor unions. Framing was now easier than ever with all the inventions flowing out of the factories. The new railroads spreading throughout the country allowed for crops and raw materials to be transferred to factories in record time. What came out of the Industrial Revolution would change America forever.
The Industrial Revolution was the fuel to the economic fire. The Industrial Revolution gave birth to the Transcontinental Railroad, new forms of business, corruption, and labor unions. Framing was now easier than ever with all the inventions flowing out of the factories. The new railroads spreading throughout the country allowed for crops and raw materials to be transferred to factories in record time. What came out of the Industrial Revolution would change America forever.
What is it?
The Industrial Revolution was a time of change in America. Factories, miming, inventions and especially transports were improving everyday. Railroads were becoming the dominant form of transportation in America. Businessmen, investors and banks alike were putting money into spreading railroads. These investments and the success of the railroads were probably the biggest factor in boosting economy. Families were moving west to start their lives as farmers, made easier by agricultural innovations. In the east everyone was flooding into the cities to work in the factories, urbanization was through the roof. All these increases in factories and farming lead to rapid rises in workers pay and economy as a whole. This new age in American history also lead to all new forms of business such as trusts, corporations and parent companies. J. D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie who's business tactics made them millionaires in just a few years created business plans that are still used today. These two were just some of the leaders in developing companies of oil, trains and steel to push American economy into waters it never expected it would be in. The downfalls of these aggressive businesses was the unfair treatment of the workers. However every dark cloud has a silver lining and the workers banned together to form Labor Unions and established many acts to help secure their pay, hours and fair treatment.
Inventions 2.0
Transcontinental Railroad- With all it's parts the TC Railroad was able to connect the majority of the US. This ability to traverse the country at faster speeds then ever not only helped with crop and goods transport, but also the population. American citizens were expanding west by the car full. The railroad was a major factor in shaping the country as we know it today. They also shaped business and business practices that are still apparent today. Although there was a lot of corruption in these businesses they developed trusts and corporations. The corruption also allowed labor unions to develop their abilities and actually draft labor acts that helped the workers then and even workers today.
Standard Time- Because the railroads were the primary form of transportation they established the American Standard Time to make it easier to maintain train schedules. This new form is what we still use today, just going to show how much of a lasting impact the Industrial Revolution had on the country.
Reaper- Invented to expedite the harvesting process, the reaper greatly increased crop production and the farmers wealth. This surplus of materials also helped in the factories giving them plenty of resources to work with. Overall the reaper was a huge asset to the economy and both sides receiving the benefits from the crop production.
Steel and Iron- The discovery of steel made all these other inventions possible. Steel was of better quality than timber and stone; iron was stronger, cheaper and more beneficial than steel. Americans kept improving their resource allowing for advances in almost all other aspects of life and industry. These new materials made the economy what it was, without them we wouldn't be where we are today.
Results of Industrial Revolution
Labor Unions- As conditions in the factories fueling the Industrial Revolution worsened , workers got together to demand the liberties they thought they deserved. However they often could not agree on what they really wanted. Most of their goals were higher pay, shorter days and to some extremes Marxism. Their most successful action was the 8 hour work day. Today workers enjoy higher pays shorter days and often easy debates over reforms with their employers. All this is thanks to the labor Unions of the Gilded Age.