USAWorld

An IndustrialSociety 1860–1914

An IndustrialSociety 1860–1914

Section 1The Growthof Industry

Section 2RailroadsTransformthe Nation

Section 3The Rise of BigBusiness

Section 4WorkersOrganize

20

18601869

Suez Canalopens in

Egypt.

1879Thomas Edison

invents a practicallightbulb.

1882Thomas Edisoninstalls electric

lights in NewYork City.

1863Two companies begin to build atranscontinental railroad across

the United States.

582

At the turn of the century,industrial strikes for betterconditions often erupted inviolence, as this illustrationshows.

There were no lawsprotecting childrenfrom dangerous workor long hours.

Most of the workershave only bricks, stones,or sticks for weapons.

CHAPTER

RESEARCH LINKSCLASSZONE.COM

Visit the Chapter 20 links for more informationabout U.S. industry.

Interact with History

1914

An Industrial Society 583

1896The Italian engineerGuglielmo Marconipatents the radio.

1904Russia finishes buildingthe first Trans-Siberianrailway across Asia.

1889The world’s talleststructure to date,the Eiffel Tower inParis, is built of iron.

1905Supreme Court overturns a New York law establishing a 60-hour workweek for bakers.

1894Pullman Strikehalts rail trafficacross thenation.

1901Oil drillersdiscover ahuge oil fieldin Texas.

1888Benjamin

Harrison iselected

president.

1892GroverCleveland iselectedpresident forthe secondtime.

The year is 1894. You work in a factory that is

unheated and badly lit. The machine that you

operate is dangerous. The economy is doing

poorly, so the factory has cut your wages. Some

of your coworkers have gone out on strike. They

want better pay and working conditions.

Would you jointhe strike? Whyor why not?What Do You Think?• What are some risks you would be taking if

you join the strike?

• What might you gain if you take part in the strike?

• What other methods might you use to per-suade your employer to meet your demands?

Analyzing Causes and EffectsThe conditions or actions that lead to a historical event are its causes. The consequences ofan event are its effects. As you read the chapter, look for the causes and effects of industrialand railroad growth. Causes include geographical factors and actions by individuals and thegovernment. Effects include both benefits and problems. Use the diagram below to recordboth causes and effects.

See Skillbuilder Handbook, page R11.

What Do You Know?Do you know of any businesses that started back in the1800s? How do businesses grow?

Think About• businesses that you see in your community• businesses that are advertised on television, in

magazines or newspapers, or on the Internet• your responses to the Interact with History about conflict

with workers (see page 583)

What Do You Want to Know?What facts and details would help you understand howa nation of small businesses became a nation of giant

corporations? In your notebook, list the facts and detailsyou hope to learn from this chapter.

Reading Strategy: Analyzing Causes and Effects20

EFFECT: GROWTH OF INDUSTRY AND RAILROADS

Benefits of Growthelectric lightingincrease in manufactured goodsimproved transportationsettlement of West

Problems of GrowthNative Americans lose landgrowth of monopolies and trusts, which kept prices highlow pay and harsh conditions for workersviolence resulting from strikes

Causeinvestment capital

Causehuman labor and talent

Causenew inventions

Causenatural resources

Causegrowing population

Causeimproved transportation

Business leader John D.Rockefeller is shown as a wealthyking. Notice which industries arethe “jewels in his crown.”

584 CHAPTER 20

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Taking Notes