Key Innovations in the Late 1800s

Key Innovations in the Late 1800s

• Significant technological advancements, especially in steel production, increased productivity and efficiency.
• The Bessemer process revolutionized steel production, lowering costs and increasing availability.
• Mechanization led to displacement of workers in various industries.
• Innovations like the light bulb by Thomas Edison transformed energy consumption.
• Railroads significantly expanded, facilitating goods and people transport and urban growth.

Impact of Railroads on Society

• Railroad expansion spurred urban growth and trade in the United States.
• Railroads facilitated the transport of raw materials and finished goods, promoting economic growth and job creation.
• Suburban living became more accessible due to improved transportation.
• Railroad expansion strongly influenced westward settlement patterns.
• Competition among railroad companies resulted in price wars, benefiting consumers but harming smaller businesses.

Business Practices and Economic Strategies

• Vertical integration, exemplified by Andrew Carnegie's steel operations, involved controlling all stages of production.
• Horizontal integration, a strategy employed by John D. Rockefeller in the oil industry, involved acquiring or merging competitors.
• Both strategies aimed to reduce costs and boost efficiency but also raised concerns regarding monopolistic practices.
• The rise of monopolies like Carnegie Steel and Standard Oil provoked regulatory responses, including antitrust laws.

Monopolies and Their Criticisms

• Monopolies were criticized for raising prices and diminishing goods quality by eliminating competition.
• The political power of monopolistic corporations fuelled concerns about government influence.
• The Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) aimed to curb monopolistic practices.
• Anti-monopoly sentiments grew stronger amidst labor movement advocacy for fair wages and workers' rights.
• The debate about monopolies continues as a concern about corporate influence.

Labor Movements and Social Change

• Samuel Gompers emphasized the importance of labor organization in advocating for workers' rights.
• Late 19th-century labor unions emerged to address poor working conditions and low wages.
• Strikes like Homestead and Pullman Strikes highlighted tensions between labor and management and often prompted government intervention.
• The establishment of unions aimed at better wages, hours, and working conditions for labourers.
• Key events in labor history showcase the struggle for workers' rights and recognition.

Imperialism and Global Expansion

• Late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed a surge in imperialism, driven by industrial nations' need for resources and new markets.
• Nationalism and competition amongst European powers fueled colonization and global conflicts.
• The Boxer Rebellion exemplifies the backlash against foreign intervention in China.
• The Open Door Policy aimed to ensure equal trading rights in China, reflecting U.S. interest in Asian markets.
• Annexations like Hawaii were motivated by economic gains, notably sugarcane production.

The Spanish-American War and Its Consequences

• The explosion of the USS Maine ignited American public support against Spain, triggering the war.
• U.S. involvement marked a shift towards imperialist expansion, gaining territories like Puerto Rico and Guam.
• Theodore Roosevelt's leadership during the conflict highlighted American military valor.
• The war highlighted logistical challenges faced by U.S. soldiers, including disease and inadequate supplies.

Key Events, People, and Dates

• Thomas Edison's invention of the light bulb revolutionized communication.
• Alexander Graham Bell's invention of the telephone.
• Andrew Carnegie's prominent role in steel development.
• The Homestead Strike (1892) exemplified labor conflicts.
• Spanish-American War (1898) marked American expansionism.
• Boxer Rebellion (1899-1901) reflected resistance to foreign intervention in China.
• The Open Door Policy (1899) aimed at securing equal trading rights for all nations in China.
• The annexation of Hawaii reflected the pursuit of economic and strategic interests.

Factors Driving Imperialism

• Industrial nations' desire for raw materials and new markets spurred imperialism.
• Nationalistic competition and rivalry among European powers fueled the race for colonies.
• The Boxer Rebellion in China exemplified the backlash against foreign intervention and imperialism.

Causes of World War I

• Militarism (arms race) created a tense atmosphere in Europe.
• Nationalist fervor and competition fuelled conflicts, particularly in the Balkans.
• Imperialistic competition intensified tensions among European nations.

Alliances and Warfare

• The Allied powers (France, Great Britain, Russia) opposed the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire).
• Trench warfare defined WWI, causing significant casualties and harsh living conditions.

Key Events and Legislation During World War I

• The sinking of the Lusitania increased anti-German sentiment in the United States.
• The Zimmermann Note further strained U.S.-German relations.
• The Selective Service Act (1917) mandated military conscription.
• Espionage and Sedition Acts (1917-18) limited free speech during the war.

Personal Accounts and Experiences of Soldiers

• Soldiers faced extreme conditions, including shelling, lack of food, disease, and psychological trauma.
• Living conditions in trenches were often squalid and dangerous.
• Soldiers frequently reported mental strain, fear, and the impact of shell shock.

Espionage and Sedition Acts

• Legal restrictions on free speech and dissent during the war.