How Edison Electrified the USA | The Men Who Built America (S1, E5) | Full Episode

This paragraph introduces the post-Civil War era in America, highlighting the industrial growth and the rise of key figures such as Cornelius Vanderbilt, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie. It emphasizes Vanderbilt's railroad empire, Rockefeller's oil monopoly, and Carnegie's steel industry that transformed American cities. The script also touches on the challenges faced by these industrialists, including worker uprisings and personal crises, signifying the complexities of their power and influence.

The paragraph delves into the relationship between Andrew Carnegie and his chairman, Henry Frick, and the conflicts that arise from their differing management styles. While Carnegie is abroad, Frick's harsh tactics lead to worker strikes and violence at the Carnegie Steel plant. The attempt on Frick's life and his subsequent return to work illustrate his resilience and determination, which eventually strain his relationship with Carnegie, leading to a potential change in leadership.

This section introduces a new threat to Carnegie's empire in the form of JP Morgan, a banker known for consolidating industries and reviving failing companies. The script highlights Morgan's strategic acumen and his recent success in the railroad industry. It also foreshadows a potential confrontation between Morgan and Carnegie, as Carnegie fears becoming Morgan's next target, leading him to make a significant move that seems inevitable.

The paragraph focuses on JP Morgan's background and his desire to establish his own legacy separate from his father's influence. It describes the Morgan family's banking empire and JP's ambition to build businesses from the ground up, inspired by the success of Rockefeller and Carnegie. The script introduces Morgan's interest in electricity and his partnership with Thomas Edison, signifying a potential shift in the industrial landscape.

This section discusses the transformative potential of electricity and JP Morgan's vision to own and control this new technology. The script describes Morgan's investment in Edison's company and the establishment of the Edison Electric Light Company, which goes against his father's cautious approach to investment. It also highlights the initial success of their venture, with Edison's power grid illuminating half of Manhattan and the public's fascination with this new form of energy.

The paragraph outlines the intense competition between Thomas Edison's direct current (DC) and Nikola Tesla's alternating current (AC) electrical systems. It details the efforts of both parties to promote their respective technologies, including Edison's campaign against AC's safety and Tesla's demonstrations of AC's capabilities. The script also introduces a turning point in the form of the Niagara Falls Power Station contract, which could determine the future of the electrical industry.

This section focuses on the decision-making process for the Niagara Falls Power Station, which ultimately chooses George Westinghouse's AC system over JP Morgan and Edison's DC system. The script describes the impact of this decision on the electrical industry and the setback it represents for Morgan. It also touches on the aftermath, with Morgan's response to the defeat and his strategies to regain control over the industry.

The paragraph discusses JP Morgan's consolidation of the electrical industry and the formation of General Electric (GE), which becomes one of America's largest corporations. It details Morgan's tactics to eliminate competition, including legal battles and the acquisition of Westinghouse's AC patents. The script also highlights the significance of GE in the global market and its impact on the industry standards.

This section describes JP Morgan's rise to power and his influence over the American economy. It details his role in bailing out the US Treasury during a financial crisis and his adoption of the morganization strategy to increase profits by reducing competition. The script also touches on the public's growing discontent with the wealth gap and the political response led by William Jennings Bryan, which threatens the empires built by Morgan, Rockefeller, and Carnegie.

The paragraph discusses the unprecedented alliance between JP Morgan, John D. Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie as they face a common threat in the form of William Jennings Bryan's political campaign against monopolies. It highlights their strategy to influence the presidential election to protect their interests and the potential implications of their collaboration on American politics and economy.