Gilded Age Of Industrialization Analysis

The period from 1877 to 1920s economic, political and social crises hits the American society. During this period industrialization significantly impacted people 's lives in a variety of ways. The booming industries transformed America into urban culture. However, this transition came with complex social, economic and political challenges. Living conditions of workers, housing, transportation, epidemic, an environmental problem emerged with the growing industries and urbanization in the country. Furthermore, massive immigration from southern and eastern Europe fueled the ongoing challenges. In spite of the deteriorating human, living and working conditions, the giant corporation continues leveraging their profit and able to control the economy

The great acceleration of industrialization occurred during Gilded Age which extends from the civil war to the end of the 19th century (Jansson, 2005). The massive industrial growth brought numerous changes in the old social life construct. In 1914, 69 percent of the the labor force had a nonagricultural job unlike 1859 where 60 percent of the US workforce engaged in in agriculture. This statistic may show how the rural lifestyle has drastically transformed into urban and industrial society. By 1910, more than 79 percent population of New York and 92 percent population of Massachusetts were living in “urban areas” (Ehrenreich, 1985). Despite the urban areas absorb the mass exodus of the rural population they had the very poor infrastructure to serve the basic needs of the people. Because of the mass concentration of people in urban settlement problem of transportation, unsafe housing, environmental pollution, and epidemics were emerged. Typhoid, cholera, and malaria were common epidemics which often affected the entire urban population in the cities (Jansson, 2005). The effects of epidemics were devastating. Due to epidemic exposure, every 1,000 urban infants 160 died before reaching their first birthday (Ehrenreich, 1985). Similarly, one block of the house contained 605 apartment was accommodating 2,871 people with no adequate water, ventilation, and

To make the matter worse between 1885 and 1900 the Supreme Court restricted the right of the government to regulate corporations by ruling that manufacturing did not fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government because it was not “commerce”(Jansson, 2005). The emergence of the middle and upper-class movement has also gradually taken shape as the industry continues to grow and impact the social life, society, and people in general. These classes were aspired to deal with the growing influence and mistreatment of the industrial system which adversely affects the poor and immigrants. Not only middle and upper class were concerned about the immoral and unjust deeds of the industrialist, but powerful political figures also shared the concern. Teddy Roosevelt expressed his concern to his successor about the alarming social condition of the poor and unregulated influence of the rich (Ehrenreich, 1985). Along with these counterbalancing of the industrial influence, another class transformation had occurred during this period which shaped the progressive