TRANSPORTATION
RAILROADS
AIRPLANES
BEFORE
AUTOMOBILES
SOCIAL
POLITICAL
ECONOMIC
Without advanced transportation methods to move people back and forth, people often felt that they were separated by great distances. Americans were also wary of moving too far into the west for fear of isolation; usually, cities and towns sprang up around areas of transportation, and those who were far had to rely on their own methods of transportation.
The government was split over the nation's transportation. The Republican Party greatly favored internal improvements and infrastructure developments while the Democrats favored westward land expansion rather than improving transportation. Despite much opposition, the government was able to fund the construction of several projects, such as the Erie Canal and numerous turnpikes.
The Erie Canal
Without adequate transportation to expedite the process of moving goods to and from places, many farmers and rural were finding it difficult to ship their products to markets. Often they relied very heavily on railroads and rivers to get their products to ports to ship to the rest of the world. Even though there were steamships and a few roads, economic development was still relatively slow without sufficient transportation.
Many people still relied on horse-drawn carriages
SOCIAL
POLITICAL
ECONOMIC
Railroads transformed the nation in a way never seen before. Now people could traverse the entire country to visit friends, family, or business contacts by simply paying a fare rate and following a departure schedule. Cities and towns sprang up along railroad routes and the regions of the US were now more interconnected. In addition, communication was enhanced because the federal government sometimes used the railroads to transport mail.
Although railroads existed as early as the 1830's, the Gilded Age really defined a new age for railroads because it saw the rise of new railroad companies such as the Union Pacific Railroad Company that monopolized the highly profitable industry. By controlling railroad production, these companies were able to charge their own fares and made huge sums of wealth. In addition, the railroads helped farmers ship their products to markets much quicker and faster than horse-drawn carriages on roads, although they charged a transport fee.
The federal government generally saw the railroads as very beneficial to the nation. In 1862, Congress approved the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad, which was completed in 1869. From then on, Congress did not interfere with the private ownership of railroad companies, as long as they transported the government mail. In fact, they even sided with Pullman against the labor union strikers. It would not be until much later during the Progressive era that efforts were made to limit railroad power, such as the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 to break up Northern Securities, which monopolied railroads.
CAUSES
In a newly and rapidly industrializing nation, railroads were only the next step to improving transportation. The steam engine, invented by James Watt, was utilized for many purposes, including as a locomotive for train cars, and this boomed the railroad industry as people began to realize the ease and value of moving by rail.
IMPACT ON SOCIETY
GENERAL OUTLINE
Wilbur and Orville Wright, two bicycle makers, wanted to create a flying machine. They tested their product in 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Soon they were granted permission to conduct test flights around the country, marking the successful invention of the airplane.
Airplanes only emerged at the end of the Gilded Age at the beginning of the 20th century, so they were not as popular among the public because they were considered to be inefficient and dangerous compared to automobiles or railroads. Despite this, airplanes inspired many Americans into believing that anything was possible and played an important role in the future when planes wold be used for both travel and war.
The steam locomotive
A railway schedule
The Transcontinental Railroad
Railway Map
SOCIAL
ECONOMIC
POLITICAL
The automobile greatly affected social life because so many Americans were able to afford these vehicles due to their low cost. Suburbs developed for the first time and metropolitan areas were expanded as Americans were finding it easier to traverse greater distances. In addition, the added privacy of an automobile made them ideal.
The automobile created an economic boom as new industries like steel, paint, textile, and tire production were suddenly in high demand. Automobiles also created a huge demand for oil to be used as gasoline, a contributing factor to Rockefeller's great wealth.
Automobiles motivated the federal government to greatly improve transportation within the country. In 1921, Congress provided funds for the Federal Bureau of Public Roads, and highway construction boomed after the Gilded Age. With the construction of more roads, transportation issues were alleviated, which pleased many Americans.
Governments supported the construction of highways
One of the first automobiles
The first suburbs
The Wright Brothers
The first airplane