Intellectual Developments and Reforms by

Transcontinental Railroad (1863-1869)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-26 17:39:51 UTC

The railroad business was one of the first modern corporations. They were a key point in the development of the US, and the Transcontinental Railroad was a key point in uniting the country together as well as transporting goods to every corner of the US.

Rise of Steel (1860-1879)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-26 17:58:59 UTC

The Bessemer Process and Open-Hearth Process changed how the US produced steel for the better. Within 19 years the US went from producing 13,000 tons of steel to producing millions a year. In about a decade America became the leading producer of steel, producing 24 million tons annually. Steel was used for railroads, skyscrapers, and many other things.

Electricity (1878-1889)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-26 18:18:38 UTC

After years of experimenting, Edison developed the incandescent lightbulb and created Edison Electric Illuminating Company and then Edison General Electric with the help of J.P. Morgan. While Edison preferred DC (direct current), his former allies turned rivals Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse preferred AC (alternating current). Both currents are great in their own ways, and are still used today.

Oil/Kerosene (1860-1897)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-27 01:21:59 UTC

Before kerosene and electricity, whale oil was used to light homes. In the beginning of the development of kerosene, Rockefeller had help. But by 1870 he ventured out on his own to develop the Standard Oil Company. With his business tactic of horizontal integration the company controlled 95% of refining companies in the US and 90% in the world.

The Pullman Strike (1894)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-27 01:44:54 UTC

George Pullman fired over 2000 workers and reduced the wages of the remaining 3000. Pullman was its own town, so being fired meant they also lost their homes. The ARU owned by Eugene Debs launched a sympathy strike for Pullman cars, which was effective until the military was dispatched. The issue was resolved and the labor movement made no progress.

Muckrakers (1890-1920)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-28 01:37:51 UTC

Muckraking journalists published many articles and books that highlighted the vast inequalities and terrible working conditions. Jacob Riis's How the Other Half Lives and Upton Sinclair's The Jungle both had a massive impact on living and working conditions of people in the slums. Ida Tarbell focused on writing about massive tycoons such as that of Rockefeller's.

Roaring Twenties (1920-1929)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-29 04:57:00 UTC

With more and more advances in technology, the rise in movies, and changes in culture, the 1920's was a great decade for the economy. Women got access to more jobs and ditched traditional norms in looks and their sex life. The explosion of Jazz brought many people together, and the aforementioned assembly line allowed cars to be more accessible to the public.

The Assembly Line (1913)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-29 05:11:01 UTC

The Model T was $850 in 1908, and after the assembly line was introduced the price went down to $300 by 1924. Labor cost was reduced because the job was not difficult. Henry Ford introduced the 8 hour work day, doubled workers pay, and had no discrimination in the work place. Anyone could manufacture a car and anyone could buy one.

WW2 (1939-1945)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-29 05:28:40 UTC

Following the Great Depression, WW2 allowed the US to make a full economic recovery. With the help of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the need for war supplies, jobs opened everywhere. Food, ammo, planes, and boats were all being produced for the allies and eventually Americans themselves. Development of the Atomic Bomb also paved way to a long and uneventful war with Russia from 1947-1989.

Television (1939)

jasonbowman4 — 2024-11-29 05:41:08 UTC

While being stagnated due to the war, the television still had major success. Especially when in broadcasting became available to the public in 1947. By 1950 90% of Americans owned a TV, and the average viewer tuned in for five hours a day. Shows were popularized as an idealization of the traditional family, and sitcoms boomed.