TECHNOLOGICAL Innovation in the Gilded Age [APUSH Review Unit 6 Topic 5] Period 6: 1865-1898

Industrialization of America: Key Technological Innovations

Overview of Industrialization

• The video introduces the theme of industrialization in American history, focusing on its causes and effects during the late 19th century.

• Prior to industrialization, goods were made for personal use or local sale; this shifted to mass production for global markets.

The Role of Railroads

• Railroads emerged as a crucial technological innovation, enabling quick transportation of goods and creating a national market.

• Post-Civil War, railroad construction increased five-fold, significantly enhancing connectivity across the country.

Government Support for Railroads

• The federal government played a vital role by providing land grants and loan subsidies to railroad companies.

• Approximately 170 million acres were granted to support railroad expansion, leading to four new transcontinental railroads by the end of the century.

Advances in Steel Production

• The Bessemer Process, patented by Henry Bessemer in the 1850s, revolutionized steel production by improving quality through air-blasting molten iron.

• This process allowed manufacturers to produce higher quantities and better quality steel than ever before.

Energy Sources and Communication Innovations

• Coal was initially the primary energy source for industry; later oil became dominant. Anthracite coal from Pennsylvania was particularly important.

• Samuel Morse's invention of the telegraph in 1844 facilitated long-distance communication, which expanded significantly during this period.

Global Market Connections

• The laying of a transatlantic cable connected America with Europe, fostering an international market for essential goods like coal and steel.

• Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone in 1876 further enhanced communication capabilities within just one year after its development.