Friday, February 26, 2010
Post Civil War industry packet
While you read the post CW industrial development packet, in what ways was pre-Civil War industry different than post Civil War industry? Come up with at least two differences, and post them here on the blog. In addition, post a second comment that responds to your classmates. Hope you enjoy your long weekend!
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The pre-Civil War industry differed from the post-Civil War industry because the amount of production in products and growth in wealth really helped improve the lives of Americans after the Civil War ended.
ReplyDeletePre-Civil War industry focused on manufacturing goods based on regional differences. The south focused on agricultural products while the north focused on manufacturing and industrializing. As the war drew closer, attention in both areas shifted to producing goods and weapons for the soldiers. Guns, ammunition, uniforms, and food were mass produced for soldiers. Post-Civil War industry focused on rebuilding America and improving the quality of life. Many cities were repaired, and new industries such as iron and oil industry really took off and helped America become more advanced. Some of these industries were monopolized by wealthy corporations. For example, Andrew Carnegie controlled the iron industry, and John D. Rockefeller created the largest oil company in America. Nobody before the civil war even attempted to monopolize any industry.
The automobile was huge because it could speed up land travel and made traveling more convenient. The oil and steel industries also took off; new, stronger buildings could be made and oil helped drive the development of cars. Railroads had also expanded to cover more parts of the country. The pre war industry did not focus on new inventions or trying to improve life for American citizens. They were concerned with their own needs rather than their nations'.
Even before the Civil War, American industry was well established. However, post Civil War industry was different from the pre-Civil War industry in that after the War, one industry after another began to raise money by selling stock to members of the public, and the ability to sell stock to a broad public made it possible for entrepreneurs to collect large sums of capital. This led men like Andrew Carnegie and Gustavus Swift to completely monopolize certain industries. Under these conditions, the “industrial titans” and the growing middle class were able to enjoy the prosperity, while the workers, farmers, and others were experiencing a slow deterioration.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, Post Civil War industry focused on technological inventions and advancements. According to the passage, from the beginning of the US to the year 1860, the government granted a total of 36,000 patents. In just 30 years from 1860-1890, the total number of grants skyrocketed to 440,000. Innovations such as the transatlantic telegraph cable invented by Cyrus W. Field, the telephone by Alexander Graham Bell, and electricity by Charles F. Brush and Thomas A. Edison were just a few of the innovations that revolutionized the lives of Americans after the Civil War.
I agree with Chris's comment about how the focus on which product should be manufactured changed from pre to post Civil War. The industries that were mainly focused before the Civil War varied among the different regions, the south concentrating on farming and the north on manufacturing materials from factories. Directly before the Civil War, each side was concerned about producing weaponry for the war. However, after the Civil War was over, they shifted their focus into innovations that will revolutionize how the American people communicate, travel, and manage their lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteAfter the Civil War, industry focused more on rebuilding America and creating innovations to make life easier. As more and more inventions were created, the number of patents the government gave out skyrocketed. A class of entrepreneurs emerged which caused unprecedented individual wealth. People like Andrew Carnegie were wealthy to an extent that had previously been practically unheard of. They were able to monopolize certain industries. Post-Civil War industry also focused more on iron and steel, which helped improve railroads and other structures. In addition, oil emerged as a fuel source. Before the war, the North and South were both producing different things based on their region. The South was focusing on cotton, and the North on industry due to their factories. After the Civil War, however, the South accepted industrial advances more and both regions were improving their railroad systems.
ReplyDeleteChris makes an interesting point about the pre-Civil War North and South using their industries to get ahead instead of helping the nation as a whole. The North was concerned with making itself an industrial titan and did not care about isolating the South. The South was focused on "king cotton" and developing its agriculture. This regional competition contributed to starting the Civil War. Once the war ended, the North and South both realized they had to work together more and thus they began the process of nation building. This spurred new inventions that improved not just Northerners or Southerners' lives, but the American peoples' lives.
ReplyDeletePre-Civil War Industry differed from post-Civil War Industry because after the Civil War things changed such as production, innovation, and wealth increase.
ReplyDeletePre-Civil War Industry was defined by producing goods based on regional differences. Pre-Civil War the South did not modernize their transportation so therefore they stuck to agriculture by growing their cotton and doing little to none manufacturing. Meanwhile in the North a network of canals and railroads were utilized to manufacture raw materials from the South and the Midwest. They relied on manufacturing and industry for their economy. They stuck to simple industry with no innovation such as textile mills and iron refineries. Then as the Civil War approached both the North and the South turned both of their industries to weapon manufacturing for the war.
Post-Civil War Industry is marked by innovation. Many cities had to be repaired so Iron and Steel companies really took off because this and the need to build more railroads. Railroads became the primary source of transportation rather than using canals. For innovation the United States encouraged a lot more innovation by giving out more patents than ever which led to an increase in entrepreneurship. This led to your first billionaires in industry including Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller.
I agree with Chris and Dana’s point on pre-Civil War Industry and how the North and South just tried getting ahead themselves rather than dealing with the nation as a whole. In pre-Civil War Industry the North tried to gain as much economic increase as it could by itself rather than try and include the South more than it did. Meanwhile in post-Civil War Industry companies were throughout the nation and could deal with all parts of the nation, so therefore the nation was than dealt with as a whole rather than regions.
ReplyDeleteBefore the Civil War, American industry relied heavily on transportation. Canals, steamboats, roads, and railroads all contributed to economic growth during this time. Although railroads were very successful, the South and West did not adapt these advances in transportation and stuck mainly to agriculture. This all changed after the Civil War, any other form of transportation seen before was not really used anymore and railroads were at their peak. Unlike before, the West also began to progress and move forward building railroads and using them in the region. Pre-Civil War, these railroads and other forms of transportation brought raw materials like cotton, timber, and coal to other places and regions. These raw materials were in high demand and what were mainly produced and grown. But after the Civil War, oil, iron, and steel took the place of cotton, timber, and coal. The nation now depended greatly on these three raw materials because they were used to make railroads and to construct buildings.
ReplyDeleteCreativity and innovation was greatly stressed during Pre-Civil War and many entrepreneurs emerged during this time. Prior to the Civil War, the government was just as customer of these innovators but when the war was over they gave out patents that recognized the creator of a good or product and gave them rights, including the ability to sell it. This encouraged innovation and caused the class of entrepreneurs to increase dramatically resulting in fierce competition. This all led to individual wealth among many, which was not really seen in earlier times.
The new technologies, raw materials, innovations, and industries that were caused in part by the civil war changed American manufacturing and businesses. For instance, the support that came from all parts of the American government provided the capital for new and improved railroads across the country. These railroads, unlike before the civil war, crossed into the southern and western regions of the United States. The Great Railroad Strike showed how the grievances of workers became a national, not local, affair. Before the civil war, there weren't interconnected national corporations that controlled vast numbers of American workers.
ReplyDeleteThis new era of industry was impossible without previously unused resources such as iron, steel, and oil. The demand for these resources came about because of the manufacturing plants and the machines they used. The work needed in the plants and in the mining/oil industry created many more jobs all over the country. New monopolies by corporations such as Standard Oil were also unprecedented, and definitely defined post Civil War industry.
I agree with Justin Tocci that before the Civil War, the North and the South were much more divided on what they produced and their natural resources. After, the new needs of industry made the raw materials found all over the country able to become staples of local economies everywhere, North or South. It is also true that canals became much less used because of the speed and ease of railroad transportation. Railroads became a chief transporter of people, raw materials, and products, allowing the post Civil War industry to take off.
ReplyDeleteChris makes a great point in saying how post Civil War pertained more to helping improve the lives of people and the nation's interest. As the technology kept advancing, life become more and more comfortable. Electricity and the telephone were invented during this time which allowed people to live their everyday life better and allow communication to progress. The change in mind-set, to that of pre – Civil War, and immense growth were ultimately crucial to the well-being of our country. A country that is technologically advanced and modern will be very strong and ultimately strive.
ReplyDeleteThe pre-Civil War period was practically a base point for the post-Civil War period in matters of industry and transportation. The post period was like a sudden surge of growth to what had already been gradually growing. Before the war, industry was very much based around the region, with the south being agricultural, the northeast being industrial, and the midwest pretty much being a mix of both. The regions, and the businesses that followed each fit, worked with one to increase production of goods like furniture and textiles using popular raw materials like timber and cotton. But after the war, especially due to the need to reconstruct and such, industry transitioned. A new generation full of entrepreneurs based upon newly discovered raw materials like steel, iron, and oil dominated the industrial scene. Before, entrepreneurship was around, but it wasn't as common, and the entrepreneurs didn't receive the economic wealth and general power that was found among the entrepreneurs around after the war. Transportation also went through a similar transition. Before the war, railroads dominated the north, but other ways of transportation, like canals and steamboats, were still used. Transportation was still evolving. But after the war, railroads were practically at their peak. Canals and steam boats were used less and less, and the railroad system was improved drastically. Not only was the system improved, but it grew dramatically as well due to a more widespread adoption in the country. (South, midwest, Northwest) The Post-Civil War era simply took the industries and transportation systems of the Pre-Civil War era to the next level.
ReplyDeleteDana made a good point concerning the difference in government support. Because of the patents the government had began handing out post-war, more individuals began to thoroughly focus on creating and inventing, and had begun competing among each other. I also agree with Dana on matters that Americans began to focus on rebuilding America, and making a better and easier life for Americans (improving lifestyle)
ReplyDeleteBefore the Civil War, manufacturing was a major part of the North, while the South was focused on agriculture. The regions were very divided, with the North being very industrial with a main focus on factories, and the South relied completely on cotton, which was also sent to the north for textile production. During the civil war though, both the north and the south went into weapons production and the war effort. Once the war was over, production switched over to steel which was used to make railroads. The government also invested in industry which encouraged invention and they gave out patents which increased creativity after the civil war. Because of this invention was encouraged and technology improved.
ReplyDeleteTransportation was another main factor that led to economic growth. The north was focused on building railroads, but the south had not really connected with the north through railroads yet. After the civil war, the south realized that they were at a disadvantage without the connection to the north. Post civil war, railroad production increased incredibly, and canals and steamboats became less important.
I like how Carly mentioned the growth entrepreneurship and how it was encouraged more after the civil war. After the new raw materials were put into use more, the entrepreneurs were able to gain a substantial amount of wealth. Because of the increased use of raw materials other than cotton, people were able to take advantage of them more and create railroads. Everything connects to each other, and every cause of economic growth directly relates to another aspect.
ReplyDeletePre-Civil War Industry differed from post-Civil War Industry because clearly, as war will have it, destruction ensued. This led to the South innovating and adapting to transportation technology (such as railroads), which was not previously deemed necessary. Additionally, the regional divide in production changed. While the North-West was always semi-self-sustainable, the North and South still heavily relied on one another for manufactured and raw materials, respectfully. Now, post-Civil War, the South contained many more plants (originally used for the manufacturing of weapons and artillery) for manufacturing things, while the North found means of supporting themselves crop-wise. This rise in self-dependancy, transportation (hence forth, communication) led to a more cohesive country, where competition and innovation ensued. This competition, as well as the government's patent grants, led to the formation of the first American billionaires.
ReplyDeleteI agree with both Justin's in how they included mention of the canal decline due to the railroad industry. Additionally, Laura's numbers and support for the innovation and patents more clearly demonstrates the drastic increase in innovation and technological advancements.
ReplyDeleteThere was a significant shift in economic development from the time prior to the Civil War to the period following it. With this shift from an agrarian economy to a more industrial one, the shape of American society as a whole changed because of it. Prior to the Civil War, there were stark contrasts between the more industrial North and the agrarian South. During the Civil War, the increased production capabilities of the North along with their superior infrastructure led to a victory over the South because they out produced them. The South was slow in production and hesitated to expand their industrial potential but it was already too late when the war began. During the War, production of several goods ceased due to the demand for war materials such as arms, uniforms, ammunition, first aid, food, etc. The War caused the economy to crash but with the victory over the Confederates in the North, urban development and proponents of industry pushed for an even further increase in manufacturing capabilities. Everyone in the country, even the south, realized the need for production and innovators and entrepreneurs took advantage and business, post Civil War, blossomed. There was now a massive demand for the construction of railroads because during the war, the whole country realized the efficiency of a transcontinental transportation system that was not only cheaper than steamboat and wagon delivery but a lot faster. To build these railroads the production of steel skyrocketed. But not only was steel a major factor in the production of railroads, steel was used to build most cities and a whole range of goods. The monopolization of these industries led to a massive increase in individual wealth. As a result, the government took advantage of these monopoly tycoons and created income tax. All these factors separated pre Civil War industry and post Civil War industry.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Chris' last line "The pre war industry did not focus on new inventions or trying to improve life for American citizens. They were concerned with their own needs rather than their nations'." Before the Civil War, American citizens mainly hustled to make a living for themselves. Working in a factory was simply enough to put food on the table and that was it. But after the Civil War, a new middle class starts to emerge as new industries produced new and different jobs. Citizens could also break the status quo and pursue new industries. Since patents were more frequently given out, like Laura said, government patents skyrocketed from 36,000 to 440,000. Many people could become entrepreneurs and monopolize their goods. It was definitely a new start for the economy.
ReplyDeleteBekah makes a good point on how improved transportation really expedited America's recovery. Goods were able to be shipped out all over the country for people to use. The South also made a smart move in building railroads, as they began to adapt to the changing lifestyles (exemplified by the north); the switch to utilizing railroads enabled the South to ship their products to the rest of the nation, and receive goods that would help industrialize and rebuild major cities.
ReplyDeletePre-Civil War industry had a limit, while Post-Civil War industry was able to expand throughout the nation as a whole. It was this that helped the economy shift entirely due to Post-Civil War industry, rather than being shifted before the war. The Pre-Civil War industry was a mere precursor to the surge of growth that happened afterwards; it was as though the war put the pause button on industrial growth, and then afterward pressed fast forward.
ReplyDeleteThe South was a limit on industrial growth before the war. It was virtually railroadless in comparison to the web of tracks in the north; it had barely any focus on industry; its sole goal was to survive upon its crops, especially its cotton. The North had developed significantly industrially before the War, while the South barely developed at all. It was this that postponed the industrial boom that occurred Post-War. Once the South and the North came to terms with each other, industrialization wasn't just a job for the northeast and the midwest. It was something that blossomed everywhere. Oil, a huge industry that wasn't founded until after the war, became a big business in places like California and Texas. There were many inventions before the war, but after, the amount of patents made skyrocketed. Important communications were developed, including the telephone. In the end I feel that it was the unity of the nation and its unified industrial growth that ended up making the Post-Civil War industry so different from the industry before the war.
During pre-civil war times, business really focused regionally. With cotton, the North and the South mostly made business off eachother because they had a symbiotic relationship. In the pre-civil war era, the regions were just trying to get along, not produce as much as fast as possible. After the civil war, the South accepted industry and technology so the regional differences weren’t as great as before.
ReplyDeleteNow that the country was more national instead of regional, the country did not have to worry so much about the misconnections and could concentrate on more production. Post-civil war was more about the ability to produce more products cheaper and faster than before. The post-civil war era did not have much conflict with regions because everyone was more concerned with production and patents. At this time, iron and steel companies took off. On account of the war, the weapon production rate increased. Before, in the pre-civil war era, there was not a great need for weapons
The Pre-Civil War Industry differed greatly from the Post-Civil War industry in the fact that the post civil war industry had a much faster growth rate then the Pre-Civil War one. This was mainly the reason because of two things, electricity and oil.
ReplyDeleteIn class we mentioned how communications and innovativeness all remained the same in America, and by same I mean by steady rise. However, both electricity and oil both seemed to have sprung out of nowhere and each had a profound impact on the economy. Electricity allowed for the transportation of energy over long distances and the use of light bulbs. This meant that factories no longer had to be built alongside streams in order to be powered but could be placed in the middle of the land and have energy shipped to them via the power lines. Electricity also could be used to power a wide variety of machines that normally couldn’t have been accomplished earlier. Water power required large machines, but electricity could now make motors smaller. Smaller machines could handle different tasks and innovators suddenly had a new form of energy to create all new inventions, which would shape the economy. Uses for oil were also discovered during that era. Once again, oil served as another method to produce energy. However, it was mostly used as a lubricant or in lamp oils. The new functions for oil allowed for an even greater variety of machines to be built which would further change the economy by changing the factories.
I agree with Marco that electricity and oil played a huge part in the massive growth of Post-Civil War industry. They were other factors that hadn't been discovered Pre-Civil War, and their ability to be used in so many different ways helped to propel the economy forward. I also agree with Chanel about how the South and the North could focus more on production Post-Civil War, and they could also focus on this together instead of as separate entities.
ReplyDeleteI think one of the major differences between Pre-Civil war and Post- Civil War was the recognition of the need for production. The south, prior to the Civil War had relied almost completely on agriculture and hadn't focused nearly enough on production (especially with the new means of harvesting cotton with the cotton gin). The North and Northwest had already formed strong bonds, which the South was excluded from. When the war began, however, the South had no means of producing or transporting the goods they needed because the North had done all of this before. While they immediately begun to work on this, the North already had the jump start.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, prior to the civil war southerners had been, while rarely rich, surviving. Once the war was over, however, the south was quite literally falling apart, and many southerners starved to death or lost everything they owned.
Chris makes a good point about rebuilding America after the Civil war. So much had been destroyed, and so many people died that it was a major undertaking to begin to "fix" it. In order to do this, materials, such as oil and iron were required even more.
ReplyDeletePost-Civil War industry grew far faster than Pre-Civil war due to the superior resources for energy. Before the Civil War, steam was one of the major methods of power that factories and transportation run, which meant most industry centered around rivers and other bodies of water. Electricity and oil gave them freedom from the land, also providing more efficient means of producing power that opened up new inventions to be produced.
ReplyDeleteAlso, before the Civil War industry was rather fragmented, as the South was set upon an agricultural economy. The larger industry wants to grow, the more resources and factories it requires, and the more infrastructure and land it demands, which the South refused to provide until after the Civil War. Industry became less regionalised and more nationalized, allowing for greater growth.
I liked how Chris mentioned that the post-Civil War industry also made a booming profit off of the rebuilding effort. After everything was torn apart, the factories were looked at to help rebuild everything, and because their demand was high, the demand of raw materials increased, and it helped industry continue to pick up momentum until it grew faster and faster.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marco, the economy could never have risen so high without oil or electricity. With those new tools, new jobs could be created and products were made cheaper and faster. To the companies, the oil and electricity meant that the companies could rise above their competition. In turn, the company’s success with oil and electricity helped the economy. From all the new power being used, new inventions were made at a faster pace. Adding to the massive technological jump, the electricity and oil helped factories keep open long. From that, keeps business going. This was the start of the fast paced world of today.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Marco, the economy could never have risen so high without oil or electricity. With those new tools, new jobs could be created and products were made cheaper and faster. To the companies, the oil and electricity meant that the companies could rise above their competition. In turn, the company’s success with oil and electricity helped the economy. From all the new power being used, new inventions were made at a faster pace. Adding to the massive technological jump, the electricity and oil helped factories keep open long. From that, keeps business going. This was the start of the fast paced world of today.
ReplyDeletePre-civil war industry was HUGELY different than post-Civil war industry if for technological advances alone. There were many innovations that replaced previous means of doing things. The Bessemer process, while developed before the Civil War, really caught on afterwards. Then, iron was slowly replaced by steel, which is a huge breakthrough in terms of durability and quality of metal products. The oil industry began, and the oil industry nowadays (technically post-civil war...) is one of the most important. Electricity became popular, and the invention of the lightbulb allowed people to see in the dark without using fire! That was a pretty nice thing. Also, there were telephones that were developed, and telephones spread throughout the country, and communication became much easier. Cars slowly replaced trains by the very early twentieth century. Also, the amount of railroads present in the US more than quadrupled, which eased shipping and allowed centralization of factories, which made everything more efficient. There were just tons and tons of new industries to take advantage of that replaced the old ones!
ReplyDeleteLooking at other people's responses... other people mentioned how the South became a bit more industrial. Also, the South and the North became a bit more "connected". I guess that's a fairly big difference. Also, there was the new demand for innovation, which was greater than it had ever been, Like Jenna said.
ReplyDeletePre-Civil War industry was different from post Civil War industry in two striking ways. First and foremost, post Civil War industry differed from its pre-Civil war counterpart in that the North and South had always differed immensely. The North had always been industrial while the South had always been agricultural. After the Civil War, a lesser dependence grew between the North and the South. The South was no longer necessary to fuel the industries of the North as the Midwest, a mix of both the North and the South’s industry also had plenty of raw materials as well. The decreasing dependence created a break between the two regions until railroads brought the country back together. They connected the country. Railroads became an increasingly important part of everyday life in transporting materials to factories and back out to the rest of the country.
ReplyDeletePost-Civil War, the industries also began focusing on selling shares of companies to the public, a movement led by entrepreneurs who were unafraid to monopolize their industries. Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, and Gustavus Swift were among the few who managed to prosper. This entrepreneurial spirit inspired competition which became more cutthroat after the Civil War. There was a new breed of businessmen who felt the need to control everything. This competition and drive to succeed created the era of the first billionaires. These entrepreneurs changed the economic growth of America.
I agree with Scott’s notice of the Post-Civil War industry’s superior resources for energy. The fact that electricity, oil, and steam began powering factories and transportation was a new innovation in itself. The creation of a new way to supply our industry with new power gave way to new inventiveness as well. Furthermore, none of these energy innovations would exist if it weren’t for the innovations in transportation. The railroads growing importance really was another factor in the drive of Post-Civil War industry. Without the railroads, the North and the South would have drifted from one another much faster.
ReplyDeletePre Civil war was based more on economic benefits. The south was more based off of agriculture while the north was more about using factories. Also there were different forms of transportation used in this era to transport the economic goods around. The Steam Boat and the railroads were major inventions for economic benefits. Post Civil was more technology based. Inventors began to design internal combustion engines. The automobile and electricity discoveries are examples of this.
ReplyDeletePre Civil war power, also, was held by several moderately wealthy entrepreneurs. Post Civil War power was held by a few extremely wealthy elite people. For example John D. Rockefeller would become very rich.
I agree with Emily about how business became very different after the Civil War. She says that there is a new entrepreneurial spirit with trying to make the most money and trying to beat out their competition. There werent many wealthy businessmen before the Civil War but as entrepreneurs began to make alot of money, for example Rockefeller, people would begin to be more competitive.
ReplyDeletePre-Civil War Industry was embodied as an era dealing with regional variations. During the pre-Civil War Industry, regional differences between the North and South dominated the way their industries were run. In the North, transportation was utilized such as railroads and canals. These transportation methods were used to carry the raw materials needed for industry. They also utilized textile mills and iron refineries. During this time, there not much innovation, only approximately 36,000 patents were created. In the South, transportation was not utilized because they stuck to agriculture. Their industry was based on cotton so therefore they did not use modern techniques to aid them with their production. When the Civil War approached, both the North and South engaged in the weapon industry leading up to the war.
ReplyDeletePost-Civil War Industry is a time marked by innovation and entrepreneurship. Just to show how innovative this area was about 460,000 patents were created. The government at this time period encouraged innovation within the workplace. This was the time period in which America’s first billionaire was discovered such as John Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie. Due to all of these innovations, many new products were created at cost efficient prices and therefore the consumer could purchase at a non dramatic price. In addition, the South caught on to the fact that they had to create more railroads, since this was the most popular form of transportation for the movement of goods, to compete with the North. These examples illustrate the evolution of pre-Civil War Industry to post-Civil War Industry.
I agree with Justin's comment about how innovation and technology began to improve for the better. As our society advanced, competition for production of goods between companies was created. However, the good thing was that price of goods decreased radically and customers were able to buy products a whole lot cheaper. They were now able to afford some luxuries that they weren't able to purchase in the past. Consequently, it also created unprecedented wealth along with a noticable wealth gap in the society.
ReplyDeleteBefore the Civil War there was a very strong division between the North and South that mainly existed within the way they ran their industry. While the North was further inclined within their production of goods, factories, railroads, the South specialized in a strong agriculture.
ReplyDeleteFor the North, it was advantageous to have railroads, railroads were the main form of transportation that allowed businesses to spread their goods all amongst the land, but most importantly it allowed the North to reach over to the West and gain further profit from trade, expansion, and smaller businesses moving across the land.
With Southerners, life was different, homes were very scattered and they spread across acres and acres of land allowing for families to maintain their agricultural needs. Sadly, because the South did not have a main form of transportation like the North did, railroads, the South wasn't able to ship their goods across the land as well, instead they relied on England for trade for goods such as cotton and wheat.
The major difference, personally, I would say is that the North had an Industrial and Economic set-up which could support them for several years to come, however, the South became very reliant on European trade, something that could go away at any moment, the North therefore was able to support itself much better.
I forgot to actually explain the difference with Industry and Economics after the Civil War...
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I like that Michelle added in that statistic about patents being created in the Post-Civil War time period because it very well illustrates the progress that both Northern and Southern states began making, they were no longer looked at in such a divided manner, even today they are different, but my point is, they were unified.
Entrepreneurship and business became the top priorities of several people in the United States after the Civil War, struggles had been settled and put to the side for the most part, and this eventually allowed giants such as Carnegie, Chase, and Rockefeller to rise up and take control.
I think something important to see also, a little off topic, is that this was when the HUGE economic divide in American society was created, this was when the extreme points were marked down, the ones that we see today, the extremely rich (1% of our population), the extremely poor, and the massive middle class that is so strongly affected by the choices of our government.