6.5: Technological Innovation in the Gilded Age

Question 1

BEGINNING

Answer 1

• Mass production of goods for international sale
• National market expansion via. railroads
• Mass production and consumption
• Gov saw railroads helping economy so gave rail companies loan subsidies and land grants [170 million acres]
• 5 transcont. railroads

Question 2

BESSEMER PROCESS

Answer 2

• Patented by Bessemmer
• Better, cheaper steel
• Blast air through molten hot iron for higher quality
• Great quantity and quality of steel

Question 3

COAL AND OIL

Answer 3

• Coal = 1st major source of energy for industry and locomotives
• Oil later surpassed

Question 4

COMMUNICATIONS

Answer 4

• Multiplication of telegraph wires
• Transatlantic wire between America and Europe = new market
• Bell: Telephone and Bell Telephone Company