The American Dream: Socioeconomic Class

The “American Dream” has been a central piece of ideology in American culture and history; the thought that any person, regardless of their background, could transcend their assigned socioeconomic class was among the most attractive reasons for coming to the new world. The transition from agrarianism (pre 1850) into industrialism (post 1850) changed the class structure from a relatively fixed one, making it easier for common workers to move their way up to the middle class. A more complex economy allowed them to take different career paths, and were rewarded based off merit rather than ownership. The same new economy allowed common workers to advocate for themselves where previously they could not. Although during these times there were several economic highs and lows, after the industrial revolution, intrinsic efforts from common workers to move into the middle class were more rewarded than they were previously. Besides the many technological and economical changes to everyday life the industrial revolution brought with it, …show more content…
Labor unions protect the rights of workers by striking until they receive their demands, which causes the economy to fluctuate, in some cases coming to full standstill like the railroad strikes of 1877, but in the end, these strikes were effective in improving workers’ situations. For Sadie Frowne, a polish immigrant who worked in a shirt-making factory, being a part of the United Brotherhood of Garment Workers, one of many unions of the time, allowed her shorter hours, as well as a raise in wages. Striking made employers realize the necessity of keeping their workforce happy, hence why Henry Ford enacted his famous “Five-dollar day plan.” Through the mutualistic balance achieved by employer and employee, the factory workers found stability in corporate