Second Industrial Revolution: Transport, Energy, Industry
Transportation Revolution and the Rise of Steel
Transportation revolution: The rise of the steel industry was closely attached to a revolution in transport, especially rail. Trains and railway lines were fed by the products of such industry.
Consequences of Railway Expansion
The railway, as well as encouraging the expansion of the steel industry, activated cargo and passenger transport by land communications that were regular and much faster, which increased internal trade.
- Regular and faster land transport
- Growth of internal trade
- Increased demand for steel and related products
Corporate Mergers in the Second Industrial Revolution
The Second Industrial Revolution: Corporate structures evolved to control production and markets.
Vertical Mergers
Vertical mergers: Mergers of companies that eventually covered the entire production process of a product, allowing better control of supply at the various stages of production and inventory.
Horizontal Mergers
Horizontal mergers: Unions of businesses that manufactured or sold similar products, often intended to eliminate competition.
New Energy Sources and Technological Advances
New sources of energy and advances in media and appliances transformed industry and society:
- Electricity: Development thanks to inventions like the electric light and the electric motor. Electricity became a major energy source that generated an industry with many applications.
- Communications: Advances such as the telephone and the telegraph improved long-distance communication and business coordination.
- Consumer goods: The appearance of products tied to mass society, including household appliances, expanded markets.
- Oil / Petroleum: An important energy source used as fuel for transportation and as feedstock for a petroleum processing industry, giving rise to plastics, industrial fertilizers, and textiles.
Major Industries
Industries:
Stainless Steel Industry
A. The stainless steel industry: Its huge investment promoted the emergence of large business empires, often monopolies. The strongest centers were in the U.S. and Germany. This industry is linked to the development of mass transit (tram and metro), modern architecture, and large buildings.
Chemical Industry
B. The chemical industry: An industry related to consumer goods for the population (textiles, pharmaceuticals). It required high investment in research and constant innovation. It was located mainly in Germany (for example, Bayer).
Most Industrialized Countries and Timeline
Most industrialized countries were Britain, Germany, and the U.S.
Representative countries and timeline:
- Representative countries: Britain (1st Industrial Revolution); Germany and the USA (2nd Industrial Revolution).
- Timeline: 1st Industrial Revolution: 1760–1870; 2nd Industrial Revolution: 1870–1914.
- Energy sources: 1st — coal; 2nd — electricity and oil.
- Industry characteristics: 1st — textile and early iron/steel industries; 2nd — advanced steel and chemical industries.