The Second Industrial Revolution

The Second Industrial Revolution

Between 1820 and 1860, the visual map of the United States was transformed by extraordinary urbanization and rapid territorial expansion. These changes mutually fueled the Second Industrial Revolution which peaked between 1870 and 1914.  Historians have categorized the period from 1870-1914 as the historical time of the Second Industrial Revolution. While the First Industrial Revolution produced the development of businesses, such as coal, iron, railroads and textiles, the Second Industrial Revolution saw the growth of electricity and steel.

Thomas Edison is responsible for the growth and development of electricity and its uses. He was able to create an entire system of electrical lighting and the power needed to make the lights work along with copper wiring and insulation. In 1880 Edison hires a larger staff to help him develop the components of his electric lighting system for commercial use. This was unique to the second industrial revolution because the factory system grew to massive proportions in order to provide products and electrical systems to the growing population. This is when the buy now pay later system started.  

Along with the electricity came the need for steel build the massive infrastructure of skyscrapers to be used for offices and apartments for new immigrants. Steel brought about a change in the building industry by using the steel in different ways to manufacture steel building supports, railroad tracks and rail cars, and make the steel continually. The Siemen System brought about the twenty four hour shift work that is evident in all major cities and towns.  Bridges were the most important thing to use the new processed steel to allow for easier travel. The changes in steel manufacture moved the country into the second industrial revolution by providing steel at a faster pace and less expensive manufacturing costs. Electricity and steel are only two of the many changes to the country’s growth.

World War One

        At the beginning of the 20th century, Serbia was part of the Austria-Hungary Empire. Around 1904, Serbia wanted to expand so it decided to break free of its economic dependence on Austria-Hungary by trading with other countries. At this time, Serbia's major export item was pork and Austria-Hungary was their biggest customer. To punish Serbia, Austria-Hungary created an "economic war" by stopping the import of Serbian pork in 1906. This backfired because Serbia was able to find other customers and increase its exports. As a result, relations between Austria-Hungary and Serbia began to sour.