Rise of Industry in the Late 19th Century

During the 1860s the States was in a period of economic hardship due to the ongoing demand for materials and money to fund the war. In the South, adapted money and materials were hard to acquire because the southern economy still depended on the task of slaves to produce their goods and income preferably than factories. The Northern economy used many factories to produce goods and make profit for the war, but they still did non have technology that was advanced enough to easily produce each the necessary materials and money.After the courteous war, America embarked on a journey of economic expansion and unification for the commonwealth. In the late nineteenth century, government policies, technological advancements and population changes contributed to the splay of industry in America. M either government policies were created in the nineteenth century to encourage expansion and growth for America. Three very influential policies were the Homestead Act, the Pacific line Act and laissez-faire. The homestead act was passed by Congress in 1862 to encourage settlement of western land.It promised any citizen of the United States that was at least 21 years old a homestead of 160 landed estate under the terms that they paid a 10 dollar registration fee, farmed on the land for 5 years and lived on the land for at least 6 months out of a year. When passed, the act proven a success at allowing huge masses of people to further enlarge and develop America because settlers from all walks of life including newly arrived immigrants, farmers without land of their own from the East, single women and former slaves came to meet the requirements (Weiser).The pacific railroad line act of 1862 provided the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroad companies with federal land grants and funds to name a transcontinental railway that would unite the country as one. With the completion of the railroad, industry had the opportunity to burn up across America because the tra nsportation cartridge holder of goods, capital, and people was significantly decreased and more effectual. Laissez-faire was a policy practiced by government that preached a free market economy.Under laissez-faire, the personal line of credits of America were able to grow and acquire larger sums of money because the government had little to no hurly burly in the actions of companies. In the 19th century as settlement and companies expanded across America, technological discoveries were being made as part of an industrial revolution that would further the efficiency and growth of industry. With the transcontinental railroad, the steamer engine could transport materials, machinery, goods and more to companies across America with much more ease than horses and wagons could in preliminary times.The invention of the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 increased communication among people to help the coordination and cohesiveness of companies. One brilliant inventor, Thomas Alva Edison, provided the nation with numerous inventions, two of which were the illume bulb and the electric generator. As industrialization occurred, machinery was used to produce materials instead of human labor in order to increase production and profit. With the aid of Edisons electrical generator, the machines of textiles could work faster and more efficient to maximize benefits. as well, with the aid of the light bulb, textiles were able to have longer work hours and produce larger quantities because the confinement of daylight hours was no longer a problem. By the end of the nineteenth century, the nation was about to induce a mass-production economy because the utilization of steam and electricity, the introduction of improved processes and labor-saving machinery multiplied enormously the effectiveness of labor (Chandler 277 George 50).As America was booming from government policies and new technology, population changes also took effect to contribute to the rise of indus try. Population was steadily rising due to immigration, migration, and improved conditions of living. Millions of European and Asian immigrants came to America in expect of a more promising and successful life. These immigrants created a ripening work force that big industries took service of by using the minimally paid workers to help produce more for their companies.Along with westward migration in America, In the post-civil war period, cities swelled in population as a twin migration of immigrants and rural Americans flocked to the look urban environment (Riis 320). This urbanization solidified the transition of the nation from an agricultural economy to an industrial one. Also in the 19th century, population was at a high compared the past because of improvements in health care, a higher reproduction rate and a better standard of living. These population changes provided America with a large, growing consumer economy that allowed industry and business to thrive.Compared to p revious times, America ended the 19th century at an all time high due to new government policies, technological advancements and population changes. With the help of federal hike to settle westward and unite the country, industry was able to expand to more places across the nation. In these numerous factories, textiles and other working places, new machinery and technology was used to produce greater quantities in a shorter amounts of time which allowed industry to gain more profit and grow.These successful and innovative factories attracted immigrants and rural Americans, and pushed them to move to cities where industry and business could be a main focus. The growth of American industry in the 19th century took the nation to a whole new developmental level, and from there the nation continued to thrive and evolve. Citations Chandler, Alfred D. The Beginnings of Big phone line in American Industry. 1959. American Issues. New York Glencoe, 1994. 277-80. Print. Evans, Harold. The Sp ark of Genius. 2004. American History. Vol. 2. Dubuque McGraw Hill, 2007. 6-21. Print. George, Henry. Progress and Poverty. 1879. Americas History. Fourth ed. Vol. 2. Boston Bedford/St. Martins, 2001. 50-51. Print. Riis, Jacob. vivification in the Tenements of New York City. 1890. Voices of the American Past. Second ed. Vol. 2. Orlando Harcourt College, 2001. 320-22. Print. Story, Jill. Lecture. 27 Sept. 2010. Story, Jill. Lecture. 5 Oct. 2010. Weiser, Kathy. The Homestead Act Creating Prosperity in America. Legends of America A Travel Site for the Nostalgic and Historic Minded. Apr. 2010. Web. 12 Oct. 2010. .