Do you think this answer is effective enough....

How did the growth of the steel industry influence the development of other industries?

The railroads, with thousands of miles of track, became the biggest customers for steel, but inventors found additional uses for it. Inventions such as barbed wire and farm machines helped to produce food. Steel also made innovative construction possible.

Everything seems fine to me if this is a thesis statement. Does your teacher expect more specifics, though? What farm machines? What are examples of innovative construction?

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The answer you provided is effective in explaining the influence of the growth of the steel industry on the development of other industries. It mentions two specific examples: the railroads and inventions such as barbed wire and farm machines. However, if you feel that your teacher may expect more specifics, there are additional details you can include to enhance your answer.

To provide further specifics, you can mention some specific farm machines that were made possible by the growth of the steel industry. For example, the steel plow developed by John Deere revolutionized agriculture, as it was much more efficient in breaking through tough soil compared to traditional wooden plows.

Additionally, you can give examples of innovative construction projects that became possible due to the availability of steel. One notable example is the construction of skyscrapers. The use of steel frameworks in buildings allowed for the creation of taller and more structurally sound structures, which significantly impacted urban development.

By including these additional specifics, you can provide a more comprehensive answer that showcases a deeper understanding of how the growth of the steel industry influenced the development of other industries.