Assignment 1

Paimana Ghowsi Kabir

Professor Laverne Y. Peralta

History 105

Assignment 1.1

January 25th, 2014

Industrialization after the Civil War Thesis and Outline

After the end of Reconstruction in the United States, industrialization continued almost where it left off before the Civil War. After the Civil War, the American industry boomed. Following the American Civil War, the United States’ economy grew at an unprecedented rate. This industrial and economic growth represented the technological innovation, immigration to the U.S. and many more.

I. The Rise of Big Business- The value of the goods which was produced by the American Industry increased almost tenfold between 1870 and 1916.

* Natural resources- The American rich natural resources played a major key role in the rise of big business. The nation’s water supply helped power the industrial machines. Forests provided timber for construction and wooden products in which miners took large portions of coal and iron ore from the ground.

* The nation had growing population in which more than 25 million immigrants came to America between 1870-1916.

* Distribution and Communication- The American railway system became a nationwide transportation network in the late 1800’s.

* Investments and banking- The business boom triggered a sharp increase in investments in the stocks and bonds of corporations. Since the businesses were growing, many people were eager to share in the profit s invested heavily. The profit that was invested provided capital that companies needed to expand their operations.

II. FOREIGN AFFAIRS- During 1870’s and 1880’s, comparing European countries like France, Germany, and Great Britain, America had weak militarily. Also, America had little influence in international politics.

* In the early 1900’s America developed into a world power and took a leading role in international affairs.

* In 1898 the Spanish-American War of 1898 made a turning point in the...