A new era of industrial growth began in the United States. It was fueled by rapid urbanization and territorial expansion.
Factory owners grew rich as they vertically integrated, buying up all parts of the business from raw materials to transportation. But this period also brought fears of losing freedom and independence to a world of routine work and toil.
Steel
With the development of steel, electricity and new inventions like steam engines and automobiles, industrial growth accelerated during the late 19th century. Consumer goods were mass-produced, and communications improved with the invention of the telegraph, radio and the Internet.
The rapid expansion of industrial technology also led to the creation of a new middle class composed of wealthy entrepreneurs and skilled factory workers. However, this era of economic growth was volatile and a number of major depressions wreaked havoc around the globe. Many small businesses failed while large corporations gained monopoly over entire industries. For the majority of those who continued to work in factories, life was grueling. Despite the fact that most workers enjoyed relatively high wages, they worked long hours, suffered from harsh working conditions and had no health insurance or pensions.
During this time, the production of iron and steel began to take off as inventors developed methods for extracting metals more easily. For example, the first coke furnace was used to smelt iron ore on a larger scale, which helped to cut down on fuel costs and allowed for increased productivity. A few years later, Benjamin Huntsman developed the crucible steel technique which made it easier to make better quality metals and to alloy steel with other materials such as chromium, nickel and tungsten.
Other important advancements were made in the production of chemicals and energy. Coal, gas and petroleum became the main sources of fuel for industry, while electricity and the internal combustion engine powered machinery, transportation and communication. The telephone and the telegraph were invented, and railroads and automobiles brought people to their destinations faster than ever before.
The emergence of large corporations was a result of the growing need for more and more equipment in the manufacturing process. This expensive equipment required the formation of joint-stock companies which subsequently allowed for greater economies of scale. With this, the manufacturing industry was transformed into a large-scale business where engineers set production quotas and replaced foremen by introducing time and motion procedures that maximized efficiency.
Today, the steel manufacturing industry is undergoing yet another revolution with the advent of new technologies such as automation and predictive maintenance. These innovations have shifted the landscape of this once-traditional industry, which is now poised to become a leader in the global economy of Industry 4.0. With tech-enhanced operations, efficiency and sustainability are now at the forefront of this thriving sector. With this in mind, the future of steel manufacturing is a blend of tradition and innovation, with sustainability as its cornerstone.
Electricity
From the 1860s, the development of electrical technology gave the industrialized world a powerful new tool for increasing productivity. This technology allowed factories to work longer hours, and also helped make possible innovations like electricity-powered locomotives and lights that improved worker safety.
The Second Industrial Revolution was a time when people were ready to take risks and invest in new inventions. This meant that people were able to produce and sell goods at a much faster rate than ever before. This allowed businesses to grow quickly and increased the standard of living for many people around the world. However, this time period was not without its problems. For example, some of the new inventions created during this time period led to a widening gap between rich and poor. In addition, these inventions led to the rise of large corporations and monopolies that controlled much of the world’s economy.
By the late 19th century, advances in steel production and electrical technology had made it possible for factories to mass-produce goods at a rapid pace. This increased productivity and the ability to move products more easily across the globe helped to increase global trade and economic growth. However, this massive increase in production also led to a higher rate of unemployment and poverty for some people.
During this time period, there was a great deal of political and social unrest in Europe. This included the formation of labor unions and a growing sense of injustice among working class families. In addition, this time period saw the development of sewage systems in cities and the passage of laws that improved drinking water quality. This improvement in public health decreased the number of deaths from infectious diseases.
This period marked the transition from a predominantly rural agricultural society to a largely urban industrial one. As a result, the share of the population engaged in agriculture declined dramatically. Farmers no longer needed to rely on annual crop yields to survive. Moreover, unavoidable crop failures no longer doomed rural communities to poverty and dependency on foreign markets.
The development of telegraph networks and railroads during this period greatly increased the speed and efficiency of communication and transportation. This enabled businessmen and women to travel much farther distances for work, and it also accelerated the growth of international trade. The new technology also contributed to the development of large-scale companies, such as Coca-Cola, that are still major players in the world’s economy today.
In the United States, territorial expansion exponentially rewrote the competing visions of free-soilers, European immigrants, and industrial capitalists for America’s future. The expansion of the country’s visual map significantly fueled and accelerated the Second Industrial Revolution, which reached its peak between 1870 and 1914.
New Inventions
As industrial production rose dramatically during the second Industrial Revolution, new inventions further revolutionized industry. Steel, electricity and the development of a nationwide railroad network helped boost factory output. At the same time, new energy sources, such as coal, petroleum and later, natural gas, fuelled the growth of power plants and the internal combustion engine. Inventions such as the telegraph and the telephone allowed for more effective communication systems, while advances in railway transportation and automobiles brought greater mobility to people and goods.
This was an era of unprecedented change, but it is important to note that not all changes were positive. Many Americans experienced a great deal of anxiety over the rapid shift from agrarian to industrial society. In addition, the Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865, cleaved America in two and created an urgent need for new technologies to meet new challenges.
Despite these anxieties, however, most Americans continued to enjoy the benefits of the booming industrial economy. Economic growth fueled new forms of consumer products and gave workers the opportunity to improve their quality of life. This era also gave rise to labor unions and social welfare programs as workers demanded better working conditions and pay.
While some historians quibble over the exact boundaries between the first and second Industrial Revolutions, most agree that this period saw a significant increase in mass production. Household items like soap, butter and clothing that had previously been made at home were now being manufactured in factories at an astounding rate. This increased mass production enabled businesses to lower prices and sell more goods to consumers.
Moreover, the huge increases in agricultural production and the invention of new machines greatly improved the overall quality of living. For example, the introduction of new fertilizers and pesticides dramatically boosted crop yields. This helped provide a greater supply of food for the world’s growing population. Furthermore, advancements in chemistry led to the development of synthetic dyes and plastics that would have otherwise been impossible to create without these new materials.
This era also brought more efficient methods of transporting goods and ideas. Railroads and steamships provided an efficient and cost-effective means of shipping, while telegraph and telecommunication technology dramatically reduced the time it took for news and information to travel. This facilitated the expansion of businesses throughout the world as nations sought new markets and raw materials.
The Second Industrial Revolution accelerated at a tremendous pace, reaching its peak between 1870 and 1914. It is often considered a crucial point in history because it was during this period that the first steps were taken towards a globalized world.
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