American History

1. Describe the dramatic industrial growth of the late nineteenth century in at least three industries. Analyze the major causes in each case. Include the person most involved in those industries and their actions therein. Please use Thomas Edison, Alexander Graham Bell, and George Westinghouse.

It is during the late nineteenth century that America was characterized by remarkable industrial development that brought about steady economic growth and during the time it acquired the status of a world superpower country. Some of the major industrial developments involved the communication and technology, transportation, and energy sectors. As a result of these developments, industrial processes were greatly improved and this was the labor of renowned inventors such as such as Alexander Graham Bell, George Washington, and Thomas Edison among others (Jeffrey 30-40). In the communication sector, the only means available by then was telegraph but later in 1876, Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone to ease real-time communication. This greatly improved efficiency of communication. Secondly, Thomas Edison came up with notable inventions a thin foil phonograph in 1887 and a light bulb in 1879. Thomas developed the foil phonograph by further developing the telegraph transmitter which gave off noise that resembled a persons real spoken words. Thirdly, other major technological developments were brought about by George Westinghouse in the energy and transportation sectors. Westinghouse invented a transformer capable of interchanging electricity into power and light. Besides, it was then possible to transmit electricity over distant places without losing significant among of power (Ibid 250).

In the same year, 1865, Westinghouse developed a rotary steam engine and he in addition came up with an air-brake system to improve on the traditional manual brake system. It is then quite evident that the late nineteenth century was a remarkable period of America moving away from the agrarian towards industrial revolution. Most of the industrial processes became more efficient and thus lead to increased productivity in the industrial labor-force. Lighting at night in the industries was a necessity to ensure 24-hr functioning, and with Edison light bulb invention, the problem was once and for all fixed. Industrial machines became more efficient in utilizing electricity as a result of Westinghouse invention of transformer.

2. Why did America enter the war in Europe and when it did
The World War I was fought between the years 1914 and 1918 but the United States of America kept itself a distant from the war until its official entry in 1917during the reign of President Woodrow Wilson. Thus, integrating the works of the aforementioned technological innovators, a new economic status and level of mechanization was defined as compared to other countries such as Britain and Germany which had developed earlier before. In particular, communication efficiency in the government departmentoffices, business organizationsindustries, and armed forces among others increased enormously (Jeffrey 220). Thus, industrial revolution facilitated America to possess better communication and transportation equipment, quality and sufficient food supplies as a result of increased industrial productivity. In addition, United Sates had made a well advanced in terms of weaponry planes- and had an expanded armed forces. Therefore, at the time America entered into the war in 1917, it was better-off in terms of food security and military artillery. Although there were other reasons for America to enter into the, such as the provocation by Germany (sinking of the Lusitania,), the battle for technological show of mighty cannot be ignored (John 20-21).

3. Why did America not enter before
During the period of Americas industrial revolution, it coincided with when the country was recovering from negative effects of the civil war and the onset of World War I. Therefore without better technological advancements, America could not have afforded to enter into the war during its initiation as it was somehow incapacitated technologically and it was also recovering from the civil war (John 25).