How Did Vanderbilt's Transportation Change The World?

The death of President Lincoln sparked a new era in the United States. It set forth new boundaries for what would take place in the American frontier. At age 16, Cornelius Vanderbilt bought his first ferry boat with a loan of $100. With his shipping industry well under way, he was given the nickname of “The Commodore”. He was very competitive and earned the reputation of being a “cut-throat” business man. Over the next forty-years, Vanderbilt’s shipping empire becomes the largest in the world. At the beginning of the Civil War, when the railroad system was just starting to develop, Cornelius sees the potential that the railroad system will have on the world once it is fully set. He then decides to take a huge risk and sell all of his shipping

His competition sees his as weak, so he decides to close the only railway bridge into New York with a blockade. His competition is then forced to sell all their railways for near nothing. Within a short time, Vanderbilt owns all of his competitors railways. Vanderbilt envisions a place where the Hudson, Central, and Harlem Railroads will come together. In the heart of New York, construction begins on The Grand Central Depot. It was the biggest building in New York.Vanderbilt then wanted to gain control of the Erie Line. Vanderbilt has new competition, Jay Gould and Jim Fisk. Vanderbilt bought watered down stock from Gould and Fisk worth $7 million dollars. Vanderbilt then vows to never be underestimated again. He contacts John D. Rockefeller and he comes to New York. John D. Rockefeller sells kerosene and Vanderbilt wants a buy in. Rockefeller’s kerosene is used in lanterns to produce light in home across America. Rockefeller goes into business with Scott because he gave him a better deal than Vanderbilt could ever give him. With the alliance between Scott and Rockefeller, Rockefeller begins to buy out his competitors. Rockefeller plans to own every refinery in the