14.2 The Second Industrial Revolution
In the late nineteenth century, the United States experienced a period of rapid, unprecedented industrial growth. Unlike the earlier industrial revolution, which focused primarily on textiles, steam power, and iron, the Second Industrial Revolution was driven by advancements in steel production, electricity, and chemical engineering. This era transformed the United States from a largely agrarian society into the world's leading industrial power.
Key Terms
- Bessemer Process: A method for mass-producing steel efficiently and cheaply.
- Taylorism: A system of scientific management developed by Frederick W. Taylor to improve industrial efficiency.
- Economies of Scale: The cost advantages that enterprises obtain due to their scale of operation.
The Impact of Steel and Electricity
The transition from iron to steel was perhaps the most crucial development of the era. Steel was lighter, stronger, and more durable than iron. The introduction of the Bessemer process, and later the open-hearth process, allowed manufacturers to produce massive quantities of steel at a fraction of the previous cost. This steel was quickly utilized to build thousands of miles of railroad tracks, towering skyscrapers, and massive suspension bridges, fundamentally altering the American landscape.
Simultaneously, the commercialization of electricity revolutionized both the factory floor and the American home. Before the advent of reliable electric power, factories had to be located near rivers for water power or rely on cumbersome steam engines. Electricity allowed factories to be built anywhere, leading to the rapid growth of urban manufacturing centers. Furthermore, electric lighting allowed factories to operate 24 hours a day, implementing shift work that drastically increased production yields.
The Rise of Big Business
As the mechanisms of production became more complex and expensive, the structure of businesses evolved. The era saw the rise of massive corporations and monopolies. Business leaders like Andrew Carnegie in the steel industry and John D. Rockefeller in oil utilized vertical and horizontal integration to dominate their respective markets. While these practices led to unprecedented economic efficiency and growth, they also resulted in vast wealth inequality and the consolidation of economic power in the hands of a few.