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The transcontinental railroad connected the East to the West like never before. It also had had a major effect on how Americans viewed their nation. Not only did it became a symbol of America's growing industrial power, but also a source of confidence that led them to take on even more ambitious ventures.
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The electric light bulb one of the most important inventions since man-made fire. It helped to establish social order after sundown, extended the workday well into the night, and allowed people to find their way safely in the dark. Without the light bulb, there would be no nightlife.
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The Sherman Anti-Trust Act was the first federal law that made monopolistic business practices illegal. Several states had passed similar laws, but never on such a large scale. Unfortunately, the law was't very successful.
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Plessy v. Ferguson was a landmark 1896 U.S. Supreme Court decision that sustained the constitutionality of racial segregation under the “separate but equal” doctrine. The case originated from an incident in which an African American train passenger, Homer Plessy, refused to sit in a car for blacks. The Court rejected Plessy’s argument that his constitutional rights were violated, and ruled that a law that implied a legal distinction between whites and blacks was not unconstitutional.
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The Tenement Act outlawed the construction of unsafe unhealthy tenements. All new buildings were required to have windows in every room, open courtyards, indoor toilets, proper ventilation, adequate lighting, and fire safeguards. These new regulations would forever help better the lives of the less fortunate.
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Upton Sinclair wrote The Jungle to expose the conceivable working conditions in the meat-packing industry. His descriptions of diseased, rotten, and contaminated meat shocked the public. This led to the passing of new food safety laws.
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The Pure Food and Drug Act prohibited the sale of misbranded food and drugs in interstate commerce. The Meat Inspection Act made it illegal to misbrand meat products being sold as food, and ensured that meat was slaughtered and processed under strictly regulated conditions. Both were the first of a series of numerous consumer protection laws that would forever impact our lives.
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Americans knew needed to move ships from east to west quickly. The answer: the Panama Canal. It would connect the Atlantic to the Pacific like never before and have a huge impact on both travel and trade.
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Americans entered WW1 by declaring war on Germany. This was due to the attack on Lusitania, the unrestricted submarine warfare on American ships heading to Britain, and Germany encouraging Mexico to attack the USA. And by joining the war, the U.S. would strive to make the world safe for democracy.
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Many men were opposed to women's suffrage. They thought that a woman couldn't provide any useful political opinion, and were better suited to staying at home, caring for their children. But after years of fighting for suffrage, women finally gained the right to vote after the 19th amendment was ratified. This law was of great significance, as it would forever impact the future of both women, men, and our entire country.
