How Did The Industrial Revolution Influence The Development Of American Society

Following the end of the Civil War, the American Industrial Revolution was on its way to making America the most industrialized country in the world. Starting in Britain during the 18th century, the Industrial Revolution soon spread throughout Europe and North America. It represented tremendous amounts of change from 1760 all the way to 1840. There were several key factors, people, and events that led America to be so victorious. Industrial growth transformed American society as we know it today: a booming industrial powerhouse. Many old industries were upgraded, and new ones were formed. Some of the more significant new industries were steel manufacturing, petroleum refining, and electric power. The Industrial Revolution was labored by millions

Daemmrich goes on to say, “A thirty-year period beginning with the end of the Civil War did witness a remarkable growth of patenting” (259). The Civil War laid the foundation for America’s impending rise to the top as a world power in the 20th century. Hundreds of new, groundbreaking contraptions were produced and executed during this period. These inventions helped further influence the Industrial Revolution and improved manufacturing, transportation, farming, communication, public safety, health, the government, and the overall economy. One major creation would be James Watt’s modification of Thomas Newcomen’s steam engine. Watt’s new version of the steam engine required less fuel and was nearly twice as efficient. Steam engines drained the water out of deep mines, making them very important to the mining industry. The steam engine was on its way to becoming the main source of power for a large variety of industries. Another favorable example is John D. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Company. Since oil has been the main resource for human consumption since the early 1800s, improving the oil industry was necessary. Rockefeller made a huge impact on the Industrial

In the early years of the American Industrial Revolution, most of the population lived and worked on farms. Agriculture was a key aspect of the everyday lives of most Americans. Farmers were responsible for managing crops and livestock, transporting goods, and exporting products. During the Industrial Revolution, farmers were faced with new, advanced, career-changing techniques. However, bigger businesses were forming, leaving farmers with decreasing crop prices and increasing competition from bigger companies. While major businesses were economically moving forward, farmers were trying to catch up. As specified by Tateevik Babayan in his online journal “American History,” “...farmers were experiencing negative changes in their lifestyles” (Babayan 1). On the bright side, agricultural improvements were made so that food could be provided to more of the nonagricultural population. The agriculture industry may have been slightly suffering during the Industrial Revolution, but a majority of the population was enjoying adjusting to the new lifestyle. According to Douglas and Regina Haggo, authors of “Steaming Into the Future; A New Kind of Power was Only One of the Industrial Revolution's driving forces,” “The Industrial Revolution had a greater impact on more people's daily lives” (Haggo 1) when compared to the American Revolution and the French Revolution. Americans born around 1840 experienced