The Development of the American Economy

The Development of the American Economy Name Course Date 1.Discuss several of the industries of America’s Industrial Revolution in the post-Civil War period.  During the post Civil War period some of the old industries remained, but others emerged with improved production methods including: the petroleum refining, electrical power, and steel manufacturing, while there were also steam-powered locomotives and gasoline-powered automobile. These industries boomed with the availability of raw materials such as timber and iron ore, while the railroads renewed expansion with steel rails required to achieve this. The railroad industry also consumed a lot lumber and coal. 2. What made these leaders of industry successful? The big business leaders oversaw huge business operations at a time when the US economy was expanding rapidly and there were opportunities to harness unskilled labor. Many of these leaders were also focused on improving effeminacy in the workplace and as the production rates increased they were able to expand their operations and became competitive compared to the smalltime businesses men, corporate efficiency was synonymous with the second industrial revolution and with growing demand for items and expanded distribution of goods they were able to each consumes faster than before. At the same time, the business leaders focused on innovation and in capital investments to ensure there was faster growth. 3. Explain the origins and growth of labor unions.  The labor union movement developed gradually form the 19th century there were efforts to organize workers to improve working conditions and protect against wage cuts. There were low wages, long working hours and poor working conditions and even as there was wealth generation little went to the workers. Women and children were still in the workforce and were paid less than men for similar work. As technology was integrated in the workforce there was demand for labor, and it was in 1874 that Massachusetts passed all law limiting the number of working hours fir the women and child factory workers, but still even in 1900 the US had the highest fatality rates in the workplace in the industrialized world, and yet they workers earned poor wages The Lowell Female Labor Reform Association began polit...