Why did railroad leaders consolidate their lines in the 1880s?
(1 point)
to reduce competition and increase efficiency
to keep from becoming “too big too quickly”
to ensure vertical integration
to increase rapid construction of railroad lines
1 answer
The main reason why railroad leaders consolidated their lines in the 1880s was to reduce competition and increase efficiency. By merging multiple lines into one company, they could eliminate duplicate routes and services, reduce operating costs, and have more control over pricing and market share. This consolidation also allowed them to establish monopolies or near-monopolies in certain regions, giving them greater power and leverage in negotiations with suppliers, employees, and other stakeholders.
1 answer