Production expanded in unimaginable proportions, living standards rose dramatically as thousands of white collar jobs were created. In the end, all progress had a price. Labor was nearly crushed, and reform became essential, and it came in the form of the Progressive
Modern technologies, such as electricity and the assembly line, brought about significant changes in the way things were manufactured during this period. As time passed, it became increasingly apparent that a significant wealth disparity was emerging, with wealthy industrialists growing richer while regular workers fell behind. Factories
With the American Industrial Revolution in full swing, the shift in society was prevalent. In the late 19th century the growth of the industry moved Americans from rural farms to factories. This shift in mass production, made production faster and cheaper. Although the United States prevailed as the powerhouse of production, it came with some sacrifices. The factory worker was unskilled and paid a low wage.
People began to settle in the cities and oftentimes those were located near waterways (Schultz, 2013). With factory development and market expansion, urbanization was a slow process (Schultz, 2013). Requiring wood as a source of power for railroads and steamboats, as well as clearing land as people moved west, had dramatic environmental effects (Schultz, 2013). With the development of factories, the labor force changed in that oftentimes, women worked in the factories (Schultz, 2013). During this time the development of the working class and the middle class was set apart (Schultz, 2013).
The Industrial Revolution of the nineteenth century changed the European working lifestyles from agrarian to urban. This change of lifestyle happened very quickly, and left thousands of lower class working citizens in poverty. Throughout the nineteenth century several different arguments were made on how to improve the lives of European workers. Arguments made to improve the lives of European workers include: having a stronger government, giving more rights to the working class, turning towards a socialistic government, or simply maintaining the status quo. Documents 3, 7, and 9 claim that having a more involved government will improve living conditions for workers.
The late 19th century and early 20th century brought significant effects on U.S. society. Generally technological advancements were developing, and corporations were being established. At the beginning of this movement, America was benefitting well until these situations developed further. Overtime, Americans gave their opinions and formed unions, organizations, and even a party in these times. As a result, the Industrialization on America impacted The United States significantly.
The late 19th century and early 20th century was time of great social, economic, and political change in the United States (U.S.). This time era was impacted by two major evens, the Civil War, and the Industrial Revolution. The Civil War physically divided the South and the North, and created a dysfunctional country. In an attempt to mend the country the government entered an era of Reconstruction. Simultaneously, the Industrial Revolution was growing and expanding.
Prior to the year 1890 the United States went through the era of industrialization. The era focused on manufacturing, and factory work which led to mass production. Industrialization caused the U.S cities and market economy to expand rapidly. Industrialization also shaped the development of a large working class, to provide work for the large industries. Workers experienced poor working conditions such as long hours, poor sanitation, and little pay.
Despite these issues, America was improved in many ways, including the construction of great transcontinental railroads, industrialization, innovations in technology, and big businesses. The telegraph, refrigerator, and new ways of transporting goods were invented during the Gilded Age. New forms of freedom were created for minority workers with the rapid expansion of the industrial system. There was a growing population because of the second industrialization leading to mass production, distribution and marketing. It might have seemed that everything was well, but class division was becoming more visible.
As the industrial revolution progressed into the Gilded Age, life changed a lot for those in the marginalized populations. Working conditions worsened, women in the workforce increased, and wealthy people believed they were above everyone else. Wealth created huge problems for the marginalized populations due to their bad working conditions which included health risks, little pay, and long hours. The number of factories were increasing so fast that the manufacturers started to disregard their workers. During the Gilded Age, many rich people believed that they had superiority over poor people.
During the late 19th century, newly introduced methods of thinking and living swept across the households of Americans. These movements and their corresponding facets captivated millions of people, but in doing so, also created corruption and opposition that, many times, brought out countless negative and precarious situations. Advancements in technology, such as steel, electricity, and the telephone, connected more people than ever before. Industrialization and urbanization moved people closer to the cities but also created danger in many living and work places. Despite the positives that appealed to so many, there also existed the downsides, which largely began to appear in the Gilded Age of American politics.
During the nineteenth century economic changes increased the amount of European industrial workers. Conditions under which they lived and worked improved along with the availability of jobs for women. Ultimately, the industrial revolution and the agricultural revolution lead to migration to cities for factory work. Theses changes in conditions for industrial workers were caused by the debate between government involvement in economics and if workers themselves have to take the initiative to create changes. English economists argue that the government should not get involved in helping the poor.
The 19th century was the era of the Gilded Age, where the economy was booming, bringing great changes that affected the lives of workers and entrepreneurs. During this period, there was a large influx of immigrants that were coming to America to look for job opportunities. The migration of immigrants proved useful as a source for cheap labor, allowing an even higher rise in the U.S. economy. While American industrialization may have benefited the upper class of the American society, the effects were opposite to the workers of the lower classes. This problem was especially worse for immigrant workers as their belief in the so-called American dream has been worn down due to the misery they had to endure.
This also resulted in the rise of the middle class. Other than the expansion of industrialization and job opportunities, the US government was taking control of child labor and better working conditions for everyone. Kids under 14 years of age were working because of the cheap labor, resulting in dangerous work conditions. The government decided to mandate education to reduce child labor. Women's
This then brought what we know as progressivism into action. The Progressive Era itself had its challenges and obstacles just like the Populist movement did. People who had jobs had either unsafe or very tiresome jobs. In this era there were plenty of immigration problems that also had to be faced.
