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Bessemer Process
Converting iron ore into the more useful steel was always too expensive. But during the 1850’s Henry Bessemer in Great Britain and William Kelly in the United States both developed a method of Steelmaking that was more accessible. This was known as the Bessemer Process. Specifically, this process burned off the impurities in molten iron with a blast of hot air. Through this process the American steel production skyrocketed from about 15000 tons in 1865 to more than 28 million tons by 1910. -
William "Boss" Tweed
William Magear Tweed (April 3, 1823 – April 12, 1878) –referred to as William Marcy Tweed, and widely known as "Boss" Tweed, was an American politician most notable for being the "boss" of Tammany Hall, the Democratic Party political machine that played a major role in the politics of 19th century New York City and State. William, through this power and corruption, was able to gain influence over city related projects -
Rockefeller Oil Monopoly
John D. Rockefeller is the founder of the Standard Oil Company. He joined the oil refining industry in 1863 and his main method of expansion was horizontal integration. This is when one company controls other companies producing the same product. Despite his absolute control over the industry he donated about 550 million dollars to philanthropic causes. -
Colorado Territory Massacre
Many Plains Indians refused to live on the reservations that the Americans were forcing them to live on. The Plain Indian’s reluctance to obey the U.S. troops commands generated violent conflicts between the Indians and the troops. On November 1864 in the Colorado Territory (Kiowa County, Colorado) U.S. Army colonel John M. Chivington and around 700 Colorado volunteers arrived at the camp in order to make peace with groups of the Cheyenne and Arapa; but instead troops opened fire on the Indians. -
Telegraph
One of the most significant advances in communications in the 1800s was the telegraph. Samuel F.B. Morse created the telegraph for communicating over wires with electricity. By 1866, the Telegraph became a huge addition to technology by sending information for businesses, the government, newspapers, and private citizens. -
Cornelius Vanderbilt Railroad
Cornelius Vanderbilt was a pioneer of the railroad industry. By 1869 Vanderbilt had gained control over the New York Central Railroad and two other lines that connected the Central with New York City. These investments brought him great power and wealth. -
Knights of Labor
In 1869, nine Philadelphia garment workers, led by Uriah Stephens, founded the Knights of Labor, a more successful early national union. This group sought out to try and better working and labor conditions. -
Shepherd Public Services
During the 1800s highly organized political parties dominated city governments. These parties were known as political machines. For example, between 1871 and 1873 Alexander Shepherd of Washington D.C. provided many public services. These projects allowed bosses to distribute many jobs among loyal supporters. -
Advancements Leading to Engine
After innovations of refining oil new modes of transportation were created. For example the horseless carriage, a self-propelled vehicle that was developed in around 1770. However, it was powered by a steam engine, which was quite expensive, and inefficient. Innovations in oil refining led Nikolaus A. Otto to invent the first internal combustion engine powered by gasoline in 1876. By 1893 Charles and J. Frank Duryea used his gasoline-powered engine to build the first practical motocar in the US. -
Battle of Rosebud
As the Government began to violate the terms of the 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie peace between the Indians and the American Government began to diminish. Sitting Bull of Sioux tribe was became an emerging leader of the Sioux resistance. Sitting Bull ordered several hundred American Indian troops to go off and fight U.S. troops advancing towards them. The Indians ended up losing to a larger army, but gained confidence in their ability to fight the U.S. soliders. -
George Pullman Railroad
George Pullman was on of the most successful railroad giants ever. He designed railroad Carts that made transportation easier and more comfortable. In 1880 George built a company town that fueled the “ happiness of the people, but in such a way as shall please the authorities” (Richard Ely). -
Pendleton Civil Service Act
In 1883, President Arthur helped establish the Pendleton Civil Service Act which allowed the Civil Service Commission to implement competitive examinations for those who where seeking jobs in the government. -
Dawes General Allotment Act
Government officials had hoped that life on reservations would force American Indians to assimilate into American culture by making them farmers or adopting the lifestyles of non-Indian settlers. In 1887 congress passed the Dawes General Allotment Act. This act required Indian lands to be surveyed and that American Indians families receive an allotment of 160 acres of reservation land for farming. However, this failed as a result of American Indians rejecting individual family farming. -
New Wave of Immagration
Between 1891 and 1910 about 12 million immigrants arrived in the United States. These new immigrants where mainly from eastern or southern Europe such as Russia, Italy, Hungry, etc. -
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Massive Wave of Immagration
Between 1891 and 1910 about 12 million immigrants arrived in the United States. These new immigrants where mainly from eastern or southern Europe such as Russia, Italy, Hungry, etc. -
Immagration Restriction League
In 1894, wealthy Bostonians established the Immigration Restriction League. This sought to impose a literacy test on all immigrants, making it harder for them to earn passage into America.
