How Did Railroads Changed American Society

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In this paper I will explain how the railroads changed American society, politics, and its economy during this era. Secondly, I’ll talk about the 1896 election and how that impacted America and changed American Politics and elections form that point on. Lastly, I will identify the 4 themes of the Gilded Age and explain the causes of these themes and the consequences it had on American politics, economy, and its society. When railroads were invented in America, and first started being used commercially and for businesses, it was a major technological leap. They created a huge demand for goods. They also needed a lot of steel to make the rails and trains, which benefited Carnegie a lot. Prior to the building of railroads in the USA, starting in the 1830’a with the Baltimore and Ohio Railway, things like clothes, food, letters, livestock could take months, and in some cases, even a year to get form the East coast to the West coast or vice versa. However, after people …show more content…

The election consisted of two candidates; William McKinley, a republican, and William Jennings Bryan, a democrat that also represented the populist movement. The populist movement was a revolt by farmers in the Midwest towards the Democrats and Republicans because they were ignoring the farmer’s interests and struggles. The election of 1896 is often called the realigning election that started the progressive era, which came after the gilded age. During the election, William McKinley mainly supported factory workers, professionals, farmers, and businessmen. McKinley’s campaign focused on the idea that the average working joe was against the rich, that made American poor because they were using up all of the money, which was basically gold. McKinley said that there was such an abundance of silver that if turned into coins, could make more money and the economy would be stable again since the rich wouldn’t have it

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