Black Gold – Importance?
Edwin Drake & Oil
Kerosene vs. Gasoline
Steel – Importance?
Bessemer Process
Iron vs. Steel

Central Pacific and Union Pacific worked to complete project
May 10, 1869 marks completion of
1 st transcontinental railroad in Utah
(10 year process)
Many Immigrants from Ireland,
China and war veterans worked the railways
Creation of times zones

Railroads brought opportunity to many
Steel, Coal, Iron, Lumber, Glass Industries
Towns Flourished
Credit Mobilier Company & Scandal
Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) created to monitor railroad activities and set rates
Not truly effective until under Teddy Roosevelt

John Rockefeller
Founded Standard Oil Co.
Account for 90% of US Oil
Implemented ruthless business tactics
Pay workers low
Once gaining control of market, hike prices high
Created a Monopoly
Wealthiest man in US history
Andrew Carnegie
Began in RR, left & formed
Carnegie Steel Co.
Develop many new business strategies like Horizontal &
Vertical integration
Both are examples of Social
Darwinism

Railways lead to New Business Strategies
( Textbook pg. 448)
Buy out suppliers of competition
Raw Materials
Trusts
Buy up competition
Similar Products Merge
Corporations

“ Social Darwinism ”
Based on Darwin ’ s theory of evolution
“ Natural Selection ” or “ Survival of the Fittest ”
Laissez Faire
“ Hands Off ” economy
No Government Involvement

1. Who generally worked in the factory?
2. What conditions did many factory workers face in the late 19 th century?
3. What did labor unions advocate? Be Specific
4. What different types of labor unions were emerging during the nation ’ s industrial boom?
5. What were some of the methods used by unions in order to achieve their goals?

Name of Union
Leader Tactics Achievements

Great Strike of 1877
2 month long RR strike
Federal troops had to intervene
Haymarket Affair - 1886
7 police officers killed, several workers died after bomb was tossed at police
Effect: Public begins to turn against strikes.
Sources: library of congres, getty images

1. Strike @ Carnegie Steel in PA
2. Plant operator hired “ scabs ” to replace workers
3. PA National Guard needed to restore order
3 guards and 9 workers dead
4. Strike lasted from July-Nov., but lost most of effectiveness due to replacement workers.