Exploring the economic expansion and technological innovation of the early 20th century, this period saw the United States transform through electrification, the internal combustion engine, and mass production. Infrastructure development, such as highways and water systems, improved living conditions, while government intervention and the New Deal addressed the challenges of industrialization and the Great Depression.
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The economy experienced significant growth between 1890 and 1910 due to an increase in population and productivity
Surplus of Labor
The adoption of new technologies led to a surplus of labor outside of wartime periods
Capital-Saving Effects
The widespread use of new technologies resulted in a decline in investments in traditional industrial spaces
The federal government began to regulate key sectors of the economy, influenced by the Progressive movement
The transition from steam power to electric motors revolutionized industries and led to a more flexible and efficient factory layout
The standardization of consumer goods facilitated mass production and reduced manufacturing costs
Assembly Line
The introduction of the assembly line dramatically reduced production time and costs, particularly in the automobile industry
Electric Street Railways
The expansion of electric street railways improved urban connectivity, while the growth of the automobile industry was fueled by mass production
Highway System
The construction of highways facilitated the growth of the automobile industry and improved intercity connectivity
Internal Combustion-Powered Machinery
The adoption of internal combustion-powered machinery in agriculture led to increased productivity and a consolidation of farms
The United States saw a shift towards government intervention and regulation of key sectors of the economy from 1890 to 1929
The Progressive movement advocated for government intervention to promote fair competition and address the negative impacts of industrialization
Interstate Commerce Act
The Interstate Commerce Act established the foundation for future regulatory agencies
Sherman Antitrust Act
The Sherman Antitrust Act aimed to promote fair competition and prevent monopolies
The Great Depression, beginning in 1929, led to widespread unemployment and financial instability
The New Deal, a series of federal programs, aimed to provide relief, stimulate economic recovery, and reform the financial system
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
The creation of the FDIC aimed to stabilize the banking sector
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The SEC was created to restore confidence in the financial markets
Despite economic challenges, the standard of living improved for many Americans, with the widespread use of electricity and household appliances
Companies began to provide benefits to employees, such as health care and pensions, in an effort to foster loyalty and deter unionization and government regulation
00
From ______ to ______, the U.S. economy expanded rapidly, driven by population growth and increased ______.
1890
1910
productivity
01
Technologies like ______, the ______, and ______ methods transformed industries and work practices.
electrification
internal combustion engine
mass production
02
Post-1910, the adoption of new technologies led to ______ effects, with less investment in traditional ______ spaces.
capital-saving
industrial
