The Industrialization Of Industry During The Late Nineteenth Century

By the mid-eighteenth century, nations across the globe began experiencing major technological and societal advancements that brought about great advancement. The epicenter of this “First Industrial Revolution” was found in Britain, characterized by the mechanization of factories and a boom in population growth. During this period, the United States was still a young, developing nation. The major advancement period for the nation did not come about until the late nineteenth century. Like its predecessor, this era saw a phase of rapid scientific progress, mass production, standardization, and industrialization. However, it also brought about with it a new political era led at the forefront by a select number of wealthy individuals with the power

The aforementioned steel and oil industries dominated the American economy. The steel industry was led by Andrew Carnegie, and became one of the most lucrative and crucial industries in America during this age. Steel replaced iron and other metals as the primary building material of the nation, meaning demand for it was extremely high. Infrastructure and manufacturing relied heavily on steel, thus requiring incredible amounts of production for it. From railroads and bridges to factories and skyscrapers, there was absolutely no shortage of need for steel. Thus, jobs multiplied exponentially across the nation in order to keep up with demand, and this skyrocket in American employment boosted the economy to become the largest in the world. The oil industry, led by John D. Rockefeller, was the other market that greatly aided in the growth of the American economy. Oil was another key resource of industry used not only by the United States, but also by the rest of the world. Rockefeller’s Standard Oil company controlled roughly ninety percent of the entire oil industry at the height of its power, supplying American oil globally in such a way that established the nation as the one true global economic powerhouse. In fact, Rockefeller became the very first confirmed billionaire in the United States due to his success and control over the oil

Their success and domination over the economy and society as a whole altered the very structure of the American people. While they were the pinnacle of American success, many regular Americans still lived close to poverty. This extreme inequality was explained and justified through an ideology known as Social Darwinism. Coined by Herbert Spencer, the concept of Social Darwinism based itself upon the evolutionary theories of Charles Darwin. It stated that those who became more successful than the rest of the population were able to achieve their status because they were innately better. Along with these teachings, however, also came ideas of racism and sexism that ranked certain groups as inferior and unable to achieve success. Some people were born to lead, and others were born to be led. The strongest-willed were capable of taking charge of industry while others were destined to remain at the bottom. Groups such as workers, farmers, and others were strongly affected by this. For workers, the everyday layman had no chance of becoming a successful businessman and only served to boost up those who did. In a way, they were the footstools upon which the likes of Carnegie and Rockefeller were able to boost themselves up to greater heights and continue growing their wealth and business with little regard to their workers. As Social Darwinist