Where are we in 1890 and how did we get there? The State Of The Union Where are we in 1890 and how did we get there?

Rebuilding a Nation

Rise of Industry Second Industrial Revolution- A period of rapid growth in the U.S. manufacturing in the late 1800’s. By 1890 America became the world leader in industry. Steel/ Bessemer process: a way of manufacturing steel more quickly and cheaper. This changed a process that took more a day or more into a process only taking 10 to 20 minutes. It also made the steel stronger than other metals.

Your turn to think. What structures are made with steel? Why is it important to make steel that is cheaper and stronger?

Railroads increasing travel & business As steel dropped in price, the cost of building railroads also decreased. With cheaper steel they were able to design passenger sleeping cars and refridgerated shipping containers.

Benefits of railroads. What did this mean for travel? What effect did it have on farmers who lived out of the main cities?

Oil and Electricity In 1850 chemists found a way for unprocessed oil to be changed into kersosene. Kerosene is used for cooking, heating, and lighting. Increasing the demand for oil. Edwin L. Drake in 1859 proved that it was possible to drill beneath the groud and pump out oil. Soon there were oil pumps all over Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Electricity Thomas Edison helped find possible uses for electricity through the practical electric lightbulb in 1879. He continued is inventions and soon held over 1,000 patents. A patent is exclusive rights to make or sell an invention. Edison built a power plant in New York City, but it could only supply electricity to central cities. George Westinghouse built a power system that could send electricity across many miles

Industrial Invention Effects Henry Bessemer- Bessemer Process Edwin L. Drake- Oil Pump Thomas Edison- Electric Lightbulb & Powerplant