Economic growth and rise of corporations: railways; oil; agriculture; urbanisation
After the Civil War, the US economy exploded in size. Giant companies took control of railways, oil, and farming, and millions of Americans moved into rapidly growing cities.
Real World
John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, founded in 1870, used railways to undercut competitors — by negotiating secret rebates with railroad companies, he could ship oil cheaper than rivals, forcing them out of business until Standard Oil controlled 90% of US refining by 1880.
Exam Focus
For 'explain' questions, always link each factor causally — e.g., railways enabled agricultural expansion, which drove urbanisation; chains of causation score highly.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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