The Development of the American Economy

Create an essay of 500 words, describing the development of industry, business, and labor after the American Civil War. Address the following:  

1. Discuss several of the industries of America’s Industrial Revolution in the post-Civil War period. 
2. What made these leaders of industry successful?
3. Explain the origins and growth of labor unions. 
4. What did Labor Unions accomplish?

Use a minimum of three of the sources provided to support your assignment and be sure to cite the sources.

 Class RESOURCE for Topic 4

For the Topic 4 assignment, you will be discussing the development of America's national economy; the transition of America’s economy from a regional to a national economy, the role of Henry Clay’s American system, and post-Civil War westward expansion and the significance of the railroad. These resources will help you discuss the influences and details of the development of the American economy:

• Definition of Laissez-Faire (2016). In Business Dictionary (online).
• Cotkin, G. (n.d.). Strikebreakers, Evictions and Violence: Industrial Conflict in the Hocking Valley, 1884-1885. Ohio History Journal Online.
• Captains of Industry: Harty, J. (2016). Cornelius Vanderbilt. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia.
• Harty, J. (2016). Cornelius Vanderbilt. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia.
• Graybar, L. J. (2016). Andrew Carnegie. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia.
• Trolander, J. A. (2016). John D. Rockefeller. Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia.
• The Grandest Enterprise under God: The West, a Film by Stephen Ives [Video file]. (1996).

 Knights of Labor Constitution of 1878

Read “Knights of Labor Constitution of 1878,” from Knights of Labor Constitution of 1878 (2009). 

http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-newsouth/4703

AFL-CIO Labor History Timeline

Explore the AFL-CIO Labor History Timeline on the AFL-CIO website.

http://www.aflcio.org/About/Our-History/Labor-History-Timeline

 Classic Senate Speeches: Henry Clay: In Defense of the American System

Read “Classic Senate Speeches: Henry Clay: In Defense of the American System” on the U.S. Senate website. 

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/Speeches_ClayAmericanSystem.htm