AP US History
Last Updated on January 17, 2019
By the last few decades of the 19th century, industrialization led to rapid economic growth, especially in the North and the West. This growth led to high wages for skilled workers, which increased immigration as people searched for better living conditions. The railroads were a major industry as the tracks connected the coasts. In the midst of all the economic growth, there was also an increase in corruption throughout politics and within industries.