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Railroad Industry

Definition

The railroad industry refers to the business sector involved in the manufacturing, maintenance, and operation of trains and railroads. In the context of US history, it played a significant role in the country's industrialization and westward expansion during the 19th century.

Analogy

Think of the railroad industry as a giant network of veins throughout your body (the United States). Just like how veins transport blood to keep you alive and functioning, railroads transported goods, people, and ideas across vast distances to help America grow and thrive.

Related terms

Transcontinental Railroad: This was a train route across the United States that connected the East Coast with the West Coast. Completed in 1869, it revolutionized transportation and helped spur western settlement.

Standard Time Zones: These were established by American railroads to standardize time across different regions. Before this system was implemented in 1883, every city had its own local time based on solar time.

Railroad Monopolies: These were large corporations that controlled most or all of the railroad industry within certain regions. They often used their power to manipulate prices and stifle competition.