| A | B |
|---|
| network | system of connected railroad lines |
| consolidate | to combine several businesses together |
| rebate | discount on services provided, such as railway shipping rates |
| pools | companies which agree to divide up business in their area and set prices at a fixed rate |
| Importance of railroads became very clear during this time | Civil War |
| Cornelius Vanderbilt | most powerful railroad baron |
| Great Northern Railroad | last major cross-country railroad line to be built |
| The West | section in which competition to win railroad customers was strongest |
| Small farmers in the South and West were angry about this | Rebates and pools kept shipping prices high |
| Government regulation did not end unfair railroad pricing because of this | Railroad barons paid large bribes to officials who did not enforce the laws |
| The American railroad system made this possible | rapid growth of industry |
