Chapter 18 ? 1865-1900 What cause economic prosperity? Abundance of natural resources Labor supply grew Population grew with communication fueling the markets Capital became more readily available to businessmen Government was in support of the big businesses Businessmen became to use new tactics to monopolize industries Railroads Railroad mileage was increasing rapidly after the Civil War First nationwide railroad The once separated railroads became connected across the nation The East had the railroad system more efficient than the West. The West was still being explored as a new frontier, offering tons of new land for railroads. Railroads in the West were subsidized by government funds More land was given to railroad tycoons than any other business entrepreneurs in the past