The Gilded Age, marked by rapid industrialization, was profoundly influenced by new technologies that transformed various industries and economic practices. The Bessemer process revolutionized steel production, making it cheaper and more accessible, which in turn facilitated the construction of more robust infrastructure, including railroads and skyscrapers. The expansion of railroad mileage during this period allowed for goods to be shipped cheaply and more quickly across vast distances, opening up markets and spurring economic growth. Meanwhile, the advent of electricity enabled the development of larger and more intricate manufacturing machines, increasing production efficiency and capacity. This technological shift also led to a labor market where unskilled workers, capable of operating these machines, could be employed at low wages, further driving industrial growth. In the realm of communication, innovations like the telegraph and the telephone allowed businesspeople to coordinate operations and make swift decisions, enhancing the efficiency of industrial enterprises and contributing to a more interconnected economy.
Next you will write a paragraph about the effects of new technologies on industrialization in the Gilded Age.
Check the ones you think are important.
The Bessemer process increased the use of steel in many industries.
Increased railroad mileage allowed goods to be shipped cheaply and more quickly.
Electricity meant that larger and more complicated manufacturing machines could be developed.
Unskilled workers could run machines and make products for a low wage.
The telegraph and later the telephone helped businesspeople communicate more quickly and easily.
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