The "Breadbasket of the Confederacy", the Shenandoah Valley, depended on the rail lines to distribute food to both the troops and the civil population of the South. Read about the economic war that was waged hand in hand with the...

This several page chapter from the site From Revolution to Reconstruction outlines the growth of the union in the railroad industry in the late 19th century. Read about the strikes, working conditions, the beginning of the American...

Scroll down to the paragraphs about Gustavus Swift for a description of his company's innovative organization that introduced vertical integration to the cattle business.

Article outlines the boom in early American economic growth as a result of Northern industry in manufacturing, steam power, transportation and the role of government between 1820 and 1860.

Find an image of the original Interstate Commerce Act, passed in 1887, as a remedy to railroad monopolies. Read a transcript of the law, and an explanation of the reasons why such a law was necessary.

This site presents a general picture of what life was like in the United States at the turn of the century. Content includes compelling images, information, and documents about American life.

By reading this section of a chapter on "Industrial Transformation in the North", students will learn about the development of improved methods of nineteenth-century domestic transportation and identify the ways in which roads, canals,...

A detailed account of the history of African Americans is presented in this article. Divided by main topics or periods of time, the coming of slavery to America is the first focus. Followed by plantation life and escapes to freedom and...

The Gilded Age was a period of terrible labor violence, as industrialists and workers fought for control of the workplace. Workers organized the first large American labor unions during the Gilded Age, while employers tried to stop the...

Provides detailed facts and a summary about the events at home during World War I.

This site from the Puget Sound Model Railroad Engineers provides information about the history of the Northern Pacific Railway. The route follows the path Lewis and Clark took in 1804. Mentions cost, manpower, and other railroad companies.

This website from the Fordham University provides information about the expansion of the rail system in European countries between 1840 and 1900. Presents graphs to present the information.

A map from 1915 of Europe showing the principal industrial districts in the region. The map shows principal cities, railroads, and navigable rivers, and is keyed to show the chief industrial districts, agricultural and stock-rearing...

A map from 1915 showing the principal fishing grounds of Europe. The map shows the chief types of fish produced in the areas. The map shows principal cities and ports, railroads, rivers, and coastal features.

One-page profile of influential innovator, George Westinghouse, Jr., whose vision and ideas helped to increase the safety of the railroad system in America. His experimentation with electricity also had a huge impact on the power...

The United States was greatly affected by the Industrial Revolution taking place in Europe during the 18th and 19th centuries. New inventions and capital investment led to the creation of new industries and the spread of economic growth....

Soon after the end of the Revolutionary War, the characteristics of the various parts of the new United States established themselves. Find out about the sectionalism, economy, and needs in the country in the early 1800s--the...

This site describes the settlement of the West happened quickly with the passage of the Homestead Act of 1862 and the push for the Transcontinental Railroad. With the explosion of the mining and ranching industries, the West was all but...

A timeline that lists major events in culture, military, industry, and politics across three-quarters of a century.

A map from 1904 of Iowa showing the State capital of Des Moines, major cities and towns, railroads, and rivers. "Iowa (Hawkeye State) - The first white settlement was made in 1788. Admitted to the Union in 1846. Area, 66,025 square...

A map from 1904 of Kansas showing the State capital of Topeka, major cities and towns, railroads, and rivers. "Kansas (Garden of the West) - Organized as a Territory in 1854; made a State in 1861. Area, 82,080 square miles; population,...

A map from 1904 of Missouri showing the capital of Jefferson City, major cities and towns, railroads, and rivers. An inset map details St. Louis. "Missouri - Organized as a Territory in 1812; admitted to the statehood in 1821. Its lead...

A map from 1904 of Nebraska showing the capital of Lincoln, major cities and towns, railroads, and rivers. "Nebraska - Territory organized in 1854; admitted to statehood in 1867. Area, 15,378 square miles, and population 1,067,000....

Look in depth at the Gilded Age of history in the United States. Find resources enhancing lessons of immigration, industrialization, railroads, Native Americans, and politics.