Innovation
A Patent is:
Government grant giving inventors exclusive rights to develop, use, and sell inventions.
George Westinghouse invented this for trains in 1869.
Air Brakes
Urbanization is:
The number of cities and people living in them increased dramatically.
Describe the conditions of sweatshops.
Poorly lit, overheated, crowded, and badly ventilated workhouses.
What were some common challenges faced by immigrants upon arriving in America?
Learning a new language, finding work, and adjusting to a new culture.
What was Edison's key invention?
Light Bulb
What were the two key resources that drove the First Industrial Revolution?
Coal and iron.
What was one of the main reasons immigrants settled in ethnic neighborhoods?
To surround themselves with people who shared their language, religion, and culture.
Describe the goals of organizations like the American Federation of Labor.
Focused on improving wages working hours and working conditions.
Who were the "New Immigrants," and how did they differ from the "Old Immigrants"?
New Immigrants primarily came from Southern and Eastern Europe, while Old Immigrants were mostly from Northern and Western Europe.
Characteristics of the Second Industrial Revolution:
1860’s-Early 1900’s.
Dominated by steel, oil, and electricity.
Improved standard of living.
Why did the Southern economy struggle post-civil war?
Overproduction of cotton and new competition.
Boll Weevil
Dependent upon one cash crop.
What was a tenement, and what were the living conditions like?
A low-cost multifamily housing unit with poor sanitation and overcrowded conditions.
What ended the Homestead Strike in 1892?
Strike ended after failed assassination attempt on Henry Frick.
What role did Ellis Island play in the immigration process?
It served as the main processing center for European immigrants, conducting legal and medical inspections.
Characteristics of the First Industrial Revolution:
Late 1700’s-Early 1800’s.
Introduced steam power.
Introduced the factory system.
Key Resources: Coal and Iron
What was the Bessemer process, and why was it significant?
It was a method for purifying steel that allowed the U.S. to outproduce Britain in steel production by 1890.
Describe one public health concern in urban areas during industrialization.
Urban areas were prone to epidemics due to unsanitary conditions, such as streets filled with trash.
What does "wage slavery" refer to in the context of company towns?
Workers were charged high interest on goods purchased from company stores, effectively trapping them in low-wage situations.
How did the Americanization movement aim to integrate immigrants into society?
Through settlement houses that taught English and introduced immigrants to American customs.
How did the Civil War affect Northern Industry?
New tools and methods in factories.
Increased production of war supplies.
Food processing for long-distance shipping.
Railroad expansion.
More efficient power generation.
How did mechanization change farming practices?
Reduced the need for farm labor. Farmers move to the city for opportunities.
What challenges did cities face due to rapid urbanization in the late 19th century?
Providing adequate infrastructure such as water, sewers, schools, and safety for the growing population.
What was the significance of the Haymarket Riot in the labor movement?
It decreased public support for unions due to the violence of the event.
What were the push and pull factors that influenced immigration to the United States in the late 19th century?
Push factors included famine, wars, and persecution; pull factors included economic opportunities, land, and freedom.