6.5 Technological Innovation

7 min read•june 18, 2024

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

AP US History 🇺🇸

454 resources

See Units

Introduction

The growth of industry in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries was driven by several factors, including new technological innovations, greater access to natural resources, and a rapidly growing labor force. The use of steam engines, kerosene, and electricity in manufacturing and production led to increased output power and efficiency. The United States also began tapping into its natural resources, particularly iron, coal, and oil, as a means of more efficient production. This created a boom in manufacturing and had a significant impact on the country's economy and foreign policy.

The industrial boom also led to urbanization as people migrated from rural areas to cities in search of work in the factories. This resulted in the growth of cities such as Pittsburgh, Chicago, and New York. The increase in industrial production also led to the development of new transportation methods such as railroads and steamships, which allowed for faster and more efficient movement of goods and people.

The rise of industry also had a significant impact on the labor force. The introduction of assembly line production led to an increase in the demand for unskilled labor, which led to the growth of the working class and the rise of organized labor. This, in turn, led to the formation of trade unions and the rise of the labor movement.

Additionally, the growth of industry in the United States also led to the development of new business practices, such as vertical integration and the rise of large corporations. These corporations, such as Standard Oil, controlled large portions of the economy and had a significant impact on the country's politics and society.

Overall, the industrial boom in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries had a significant impact on the country's economy, society, and politics, shaping the nation as we know it today.

Communications

The invention of the telegraph and the telephone were two of the most significant technological advancements that transformed communications during the 19th century. Samuel F.B. Morse's invention of a workable telegraph in 1844, and the improvements made by Cyrus Field in 1866 with the transatlantic cable, allowed for faster and more efficient communication over long distances. By the 1870s, telegraph networks were in place on every continent, revolutionizing the way people communicated with one another.

Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone in 1876 was another major breakthrough in communications technology. Bell, who was a Scot who settled in Boston in 1871, was interested in the problems of the deaf and experimented with ways to transmit speech electrically. After several years of experimentation, he developed electrified metal disks that converted sound waves into electrical impulses and back again. On March 10, 1876, he transmitted the first sentence over a telephone "Mr. Watson, come here; I want you." This invention greatly improved communication by allowing people to speak to each other directly over long distances, rather than relying on telegrams or letters.

Both the telegraph and telephone greatly improved the speed and efficiency of communication, revolutionizing the way people interacted and conducted business. They played an important role in the development of modern society by connecting people and businesses across the globe, and laying the foundation for the development of more advanced communication technologies such as the radio, television, and the internet.

Industry

The high speed spindle, automatic looms, and electric sewing machines were significant innovations that transformed the clothing industry during the late 19th century. These technological advancements made it possible for manufacturers to produce ready-made clothes for the masses, which greatly increased the efficiency and productivity of the clothing industry. This led to a decrease in the cost of clothing and made it more affordable for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to purchase.

Another major innovation of the time was Andrew Carnegie's use of the Henry Bessemer's process of steel production. This process allowed for steel to be produced more efficiently and at much lower prices than ever before. This was a significant development as steel was used extensively in construction and infrastructure projects such as building railroads in the West and cities in the East. This led to the growth of the national economy and the expansion of the country.

The innovations in steel production and the clothing industry were important contributors to the growth of the economy and the development of modern society. The steel industry was a major driving force behind the expansion of infrastructure and the construction of new buildings, while the clothing industry made it possible for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to purchase affordable clothing.

In addition to the innovations in steel production and the clothing industry, there were other technological advancements that also played a significant role in transforming society during the late 19th century. One of these was the development of the internal combustion engine, which was used in automobiles and other forms of transportation, greatly improving the efficiency and speed of travel. The invention of the electric elevator also greatly improved the efficiency and speed of transportation within buildings, making it possible to construct taller buildings than ever before.

The growth of the retail industry was also a direct result of the technological advancements of the time. The development of the department store and the mail-order catalog made it possible for people to purchase goods from a wide range of products at one location or through mail-order, greatly improving the convenience of shopping and making it more accessible to people all over the country.

Electricity

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

Thomas Edison's invention of the incandescent lightbulb in 1879 was one of the most significant technological advancements of the late 19th century. The invention made it possible for people to light their homes and workplaces with electric light, greatly improving the efficiency and convenience of lighting. Edison's initial system was based on low-voltage direct current, which could be transmitted only about 2 miles.

However, George Westinghouse, demonstrated the advantages of high-voltage alternating current for transmission over great distances. In 1886, he formed the Westinghouse Electric Company with the inventor Nikola Tesla. They developed an alternating current motor that could convert electricity into mechanical power. This allowed factories to be located further away from water or coal, greatly increasing the flexibility and efficiency of industry.

The incandescent lightbulb, the development of the alternating current transmission system, and the alternating current motor all greatly improved the efficiency and accessibility of electricity. This had a profound impact on society, transforming the way people lived and worked, and greatly contributing to the growth of the economy. The innovations of Edison, Westinghouse and Tesla also led to the formation of General Electric, one of the largest and most influential companies in the world.

🎥 Watch: APUSH - Period 6 Review

Review

Technological advances during the period of 1865-1898 played a major role in the development of the United States. Some of the key effects of these advancements include:

Economic growth: Technological advancements in areas such as steel production, transportation, and communications greatly contributed to the growth of the economy during this period. The development of new manufacturing processes and machinery led to increased productivity and efficiency, making it possible to produce goods at lower costs, which in turn led to the expansion of industry and the creation of new jobs.
Expansion of infrastructure: The use of new technologies such as the Bessemer process for steel production, the internal combustion engine, and the electric elevator made it possible to construct railroads, bridges, and buildings on a scale previously unimaginable. This led to the expansion of infrastructure and the growth of cities.
Improved transportation: The development of the steam engine, the internal combustion engine, and the electric elevator greatly improved the efficiency and speed of transportation, making it possible to travel greater distances in less time.
Increased communication: The invention of the telegraph and the telephone greatly improved the speed and efficiency of communication, making it possible to transmit information over long distances quickly.
Social changes: Technological advancements also led to social changes, such as the growth of the retail industry and the availability of ready-made clothing, which made it possible for people of all socioeconomic backgrounds to purchase goods and services that were previously only available to the wealthy.
Development of new industries: The invention of the incandescent lightbulb and the development of the alternating current transmission system led to the creation of the electric power industry. The development of the internal combustion engine led to the creation of the automobile industry.
Improved living standards: The availability of electric light made it possible for people to work and study in well-lit environments at any time of the day. The development of the telephone and telegraph made it possible for people to communicate with each other quickly and easily, regardless of their location.
Impact on foreign policy: The technological advancements of this period also had an impact on foreign policy. The development of the steel and oil industries, for example, led to the United States becoming a major industrial and economic power, which in turn led to an expansion of its political and military influence abroad.
Impact on labor: The introduction of new machinery and manufacturing processes led to increased productivity and efficiency, but also led to the displacement of many workers. This led to the rise of the labor movement and the push for better working conditions and fair wages.

Overall, technological advancements during the period of 1865-1898 had a profound impact on the development of the United States, leading to economic growth, expansion of infrastructure, improved transportation and communication, development of new industries, improved living standards, impact on foreign policy, and changes in the labor market.

Browse Study Guides By Unit

🌽Unit 1 – Interactions North America, 1491-1607

🦃Unit 2 – Colonial Society, 1607-1754

🔫Unit 3 – Conflict & American Independence, 1754-1800

🐎Unit 4 – American Expansion, 1800-1848

💣Unit 5 – Civil War & Reconstruction, 1848-1877

🚂Unit 6 – Industrialization & the Gilded Age, 1865-1898

6.0Unit 6 Overview: The Industrial Revolution (1865-1898)

6.1Context of Industrialization and the Gilded Age

6.2Westward Expansion: Economic Development

6.3Westward Expansion Social and Cultural Development

6.4The "New South"