Unit+10+-+Day+1

=Unit 10 - Day 1=

Essential Questions:
 * What "factors of industrialization" led to the economic development of the North after the US Civil War?
 * What inventions helped change the way people lived?
 * How did Railroads transform the West?

The Big Idea:
The United States developed a prosperous new economy based on the mass production of goods. During this period:
 * Economic development expanded in the North
 * Entrepreneurs became wealthy and powerful
 * Government began to regulate business
 * Labor Unions formed to improve working conditions

__The factors of Industrialization are:__
 * 1) Abundant Natural Resources
 * 2) Increasing number of Inventions
 * 3) Expanding urban population (urbanization - city growth)

__Facts about Railroading:__


 * Railroads primarily belonged to the North prior to the US Civil War, and was one reason why Northern troops arrived to battle fields so quickly. The Confederates walked to most of their battles and were exhausted when fighting began.


 * Railroading as an industry was one of the benefactors of new ideas and processes being developed at this time. The Bessemer process, which now cheaply turned iron ore into steel, made Railroading profitable. Steel was used for making the engines, cars, and track needed.


 * The Railroad unified the nation. It also led to the destruction of many Native American tribes in the west. Those not destroyed were placed on reservations. Those that resisted were shot, or massacred in large numbers.


 * The Railroad provided jobs for many immigrants.


 * The Railroads provided much opportunity for the wealthy entrepreneurs to amass a fortune, and for workers to be exploited, especially immigrants.


 * The Railroads provided opportunity for private interests to exploit government officials, turning this period into a time known for it's corruption.

__The Populists__


 * Railroad building was encouraged by the government due to it's economic benefits to the nation. To encourage private industry to build where it was geographically difficult, land as wide as 25 miles on each side fo the track were GIVEN to the railroad companies as incentive.


 * Many farming communities spring up on this Railroad owned land.


 * Farmers were often placed into debt because the Railroads used their power (and illegal business practices) to overprice their services, knowing that farmers were dependent upon them. Many farmers were bankrupted and later moved to the cities.


 * Farmers organized the //__**Populist Party**__// to fight for 1) cheap money (paper money), 2) new laws to contain illegal railroad practices, 3) direct election of US Senators.


 * The Populist Party died out because as a rural movement, it could not sustain itself. HOWEVER... they will have started a reform movement that reformers in the cities will notice. And these people, belonging to the __//**Progressive Party**//__, will pick up what the Populists started and carry on reforms in both the city and countryside.

Today in class:

1. Complete SnapGrades communications update 2. Complete Ch 14.1 Guided Reading (The Expansion of Industry) 3. Go over. 4. Examine map of Railroad expansion 5. Complete Ch 14.2 Guided Reading (The Age of Railroads) 6. View clip from "Dances with Wolves" HW : Marin Q's A.B.C.F. (not D & E)