In 1870, the United States was in the midst of drastic changes as technology advancements and new laws led to rapid industrialization. While the North had seen much of this progress take effect, the impacts on the South and the West were just beginning to take shape. Numerous aspects of the American economy, such as plantation systems, the Clipper Ships, the emergence of trade unions, and the invention of the McCormick Reaper, had become integral parts of the economic landscape. Immigration and tenant farmers, abolitionists, and nativists were at the forefront of cultural and economic changes that were occurring across the country. This essay will explore the various technologies, economies, and people of 1870 in the North, South, and West …show more content…
These transportation methods made life much easier, becoming increasing popular as a way to move goods and people. According to Doyle, "The construction of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869 had a tremendous impact on the transportation methods used in the West" (18). Specifically, railroad technology began to spread from the North to the South by 1870, and as a result, textiles emerged as a prominent industry. The accessibility, speed, and affordability of transportation allowed for greater access to resources, heralding a new phase of urban and economic expansion (Doyle 18).United States industrialization spurred technological developments, including the invention of the telephone in 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell (Bell). The invention of the telephone made communication over long distances quicker and easier than before, which prompted the growth of businesses selling communication services. This invention also sparked a major increase in the number of immigrants coming to the United States looking for newfound prosperity. For example, by 1890, more than 5 million people had emigrated to the U.S. during the industrialization period (Arrival of the Immigrants). Additionally, the increased economic growth brought about by industrialization made it easier for manufacturers to access other markets and allowed for the establishment of larger-scale agricultural businesses. This period of expanded economic growth and development created more wealth for a larger number of citizens (Berresford). As a result, increases in real wages, higher population densities, and better living standards characterized the United States economy by the end of the 19th century