The Changing American Economy
Important Inventions
New technologies and innovations were developed during the late Nineteenth Century and early Twentieth Century. These inventions and innovations affected the United States and the entire world. A new development in the steel process allowed for the building of skyscrapers. Innovations took place in electricity and communication. In this interactivity, explore several key inventions and innovations that occurred during this time period. Click the player button to get started.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
The First Automobile Assembly Line
Henry Ford wanted to gain control of the car market in the United States. The only thing stopping Ford was the time it took to assemble cars. The process took over 12 hours. Ford came up with an idea that forever changed the manufacturing process. He assigned specific tasks to workers in an assembly line. This reduced the amount of time it took to produce completely assembled cars. View The Fist Automobile Assembly Line from eMediaVASM to learn how Ford utilized the assembly line in his manufacturing plant in Detroit, Michigan.
Corporations, Trusts, Partnerships, and Private Ownership
Innovations in business were developed in the period following the Civil War. As the manufacturing and industry of the United States increased, there were several different methods to running a successful business. Entrepreneurs interested in creating a business could own one privately or go into business with a partner. Larger businesses became America’s first corporations. In this interactivity, learn about corporations, trusts, partnerships, and private ownership. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
Industrial Leaders
In the late 1800s, big business emerged in the United States. Some of the leaders of major industries included Andrew Carnegie, J.P. Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, and Cornelius Vanderbilt. While these men served as “Captains of Industry,” they also served as “Robber Barons.” They limited their competition by creating huge corporations, forcing smaller businesses to close. In this interactivity, learn about the industrial leaders and how they helped the United States become the greatest industrial power in the world. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
Reasons for Industrialization
After the Civil War, the United States was still an agricultural nation. By the 1920s, the United States had grown into one of the leading industrial powers. The United States' growth in industry was due to several important factors. For example, the United States had a wealth of natural resources, a government that supported business, and a growing urban population. In this interactivity, learn about the reasons why America grew as an industrial powerhouse after the Civil War. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
Mass Culture Emerges
Middle-class Americans worked extremely hard during the work week. To unwind from the stresses associated with work, Americans began to participate in numerous different leisure activities. Towards the end of the Nineteenth Century, an explosion of mass culture occurred in the United States. In this interactivity, explore the different leisure activities Americans participated in when they were not at work. Click the player button to begin.
View a printable version of the interactivity.
The Changing American Economy Review
Now that you have learned about the changing American economy, complete this activity to check your knowledge. Click the player button to get started.