During the late 19th century, New York City became a global center of trade and immigration following the Civil War. Cornelius Vanderbilt helped create vast wealth by consolidating rail companies. However, political corruption like that of Boss Tweed also took root. In the 1880s, millions of immigrants from Europe arrived in New York through Ellis Island, transforming the city into a melting pot. Skyscrapers rose to accommodate the growing population, though New York had to adapt to new digital technologies in later years to remain influential.