How did steel impact America in the 1900s?

Economic growth and increased infrastructure are two of the greatest impacts steel had on America in the 1900s. American iron ore and coal mines became employment centers across the Midwest and southeast. This ultimately lead to an increase in the shipping and manufacturing job sectors as well. Andrew Carnegie, the central figure in American steel, sold to US Steel at the turn of the century. US Steel became a staple of American business for a century and dominated the steel industry. As more countries became producers in iron ore and coal, global competition increased. American iron ore and coal mines could no longer compete with the cheaper exports from countries such as Brazil and China. As a result, many of these mines shut down and unemployment rose in the area that was infamously called "The Rust Belt".

In 1901, the then worlds largest company was formed and that was the U.S. Steel company. By 1969, steel production was at its peak. In the U.S. steel was and is still being used in various industries some of which include construction, transportation, technology, consumer goods among others. Production of steel in the 1900's had a lot of benefits; one of then being that it created employment opportunities to many Americans. However, there were disadvantages that were brought about by the production of steel. There were social disadvantages as most people left the rural and migrated to the urban cities in search on employment. Most of the jobs that were a result of steel production were dangerous and paid poorly.

Steel had a major impact on America during the 1900s. It was influential in the creation of the skyscrapers of the period, such as the Empire State Building. Also, US Steel was a major industrial partner abroad as well. During WWI, steel was one reason that both sides of the conflict courted the United States, though the country ultimately backed the Entente. Steel was also used in creating the United States' own battle fleet. During WWII US Steel exports and finished products made it to the battlefield well before the first American soldiers did. The steel industry, combined with the coal industry, was a major factor that drew people to the Midwest to work. When the United States started to look abroad for cheaper sources of steel, the Midwest began to decline, as its future was heavily tied to steel.