history exam 1

The growth of industry in the 19th century affected Americans in various ways, the destruction of the Civil War left the United States longing for change. Farmers felt the impact as rural living developed. Railroads were built to expand transportation. The devastation after the Civil War left Americans open to new ideas of a better and stronger United States. People from the 1865-900 witnessed a great about of growth. Industrialization was the main driving force for changes in the United States between 1865-1900. In the beginning, industrialization became an all-time high, due to the massive boom in steel, oil, and coal. America always had these resources, however, they lacked the necessary funds to buy them. American and European government invested about 593 million dollars into the supplies needed (America past & present 418). Steel and oil were used to their full advantage and were seen as the most important of all. Steel gave the United States the power of building railroads. Railroads gave a more efficient way of transportation. With the money that was invested into the train companies, getting the recourses were not a problem. With steel being used to build the tracks, coal and oil were used in the process of running the actual train. Steel made changes in manufacturing, agriculture, and architecture because it was harder and more durable than other kinds of iron. It permitted construction of longer bridges, taller building, stronger railroad track, newer weapons, better plows, heavier machinery, and faster ships. In 1870 steel became the worlds most recognized measure of industrial progress (America past & present 418). Although, America already had ways of transportation, the advantages of the railroads gave Americans more direct routes with greater speed. Traveling by train gave the everyday American the advantage of everyday schedules. The trains had a year round service and consistent transportation ran efficiently. The railroad