HIST 2112 Chapter Notes - Chapter 18: Bell Telephone Company, Henry Bessemer, Bessemer Process
Document Summary
American industry grew because of the westward expansion which facilitated the growth of railroads that allowed the country"s markets to be interlinked with one another, allowing transportation, trade + business growth to emerge. They"ve increased productivity, expanded markets, provided more jobs or did philanthropy. Bessemer process: changed the way the u. s. produced steel = led u. s. into a new industrialized age. Most important industrial advancement of the era was the production of steel. Manufacturers + builders preferred steel to iron because of its strength + durability. After civil war, 2 new processes allowed for the creation of furnaces large enough + hot enough to melt/wrought iron to create a lot for cheap prices: 10 years later, u. s. was the top steel producer in the world (produced 24 million tons annually) Because of the demand, the prices of steel dropped by over 80% Growth of steel led to growth of other industries: construction + automotive.
