The American Industrial Revolution resulted in one of the greatest periolds of growth in all of world history. With industrial growth came marked social change for people from all classes, ultimately affecting not only the structure of America but society itself. The Industrial Revolution began after Reconstruction following the Civil War, as a growing nation, still more agricultural at it core and lasted until the cusp of the World War I, by which time the economy was highly industrial. According to the historians in the video, the U.S. 's Gross National Product increased fourty-four percent during the years of 1874 to 1883; this was the first of many big changes. The United States became an international power during this time as well.
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There were some textile businesses in New England, but most of America 's exports were foodstuffs and cash crops. Once the civil war began, the Nort started ramping up industrial production in preparations for the needs and transports required for battle. After the Civil War, the economy underwent increasing transformation into industrial forms. Immigration during this period was high. Most of the immigrants who came worked in factories. The population exploded. America had no true provisions at the time for this change though. Life changed greatly during this period. Before the Industrial Revolution, outside of farming, business was centered on small businesses. The owner of the business was known by every employee and often worked with his employees, staying intricately involved in day to day minutia of the work. Before the first wave of the American Industrial Revolution ended, this was already changing. The owner, or means of production, was not always known. For the first time in U.S history, the common man could be compared to Marx 's ideal of the …show more content…
Life was not glamorous, and conditions for the lower class were often poor.
The Industrial Revolution was strife with serious social problems. Factory and city life meant overfilled tenemant houses, slums, drinking water usually contaminated by raw sewage, unfair and/or low wages for work provided, heavy pollution both from factories as well as overpopulated neighborhoods, housing shortages, and crimes. However, these conditions seemed to motivate the common person. The Industrial Revolution was also the catalyst for the formation of labor unions. Labor unions fought for fairer pay, better conditions for workers, rights and protections for women and children, among many issues. People, especially those of common descent, came together to work to better their communities. Despite the downsides of city life, cities in America were still a vast improvement to the European cities immigrants had previously left behind. Cities here were better organized, had electric lights, and social institutions were available for everyone. Primary among these was a free education to children. asant work in Europe was not as dangerous but it was not percieved as a better oppurtunity either. With the establishment of political agencies to protect workers, the creation of craft guilds/unions, and the evolution of specialized work people could forge themselves better
There were some textile businesses in New England, but most of America 's exports were foodstuffs and cash crops. Once the civil war began, the Nort started ramping up industrial production in preparations for the needs and transports required for battle. After the Civil War, the economy underwent increasing transformation into industrial forms. Immigration during this period was high. Most of the immigrants who came worked in factories. The population exploded. America had no true provisions at the time for this change though. Life changed greatly during this period. Before the Industrial Revolution, outside of farming, business was centered on small businesses. The owner of the business was known by every employee and often worked with his employees, staying intricately involved in day to day minutia of the work. Before the first wave of the American Industrial Revolution ended, this was already changing. The owner, or means of production, was not always known. For the first time in U.S history, the common man could be compared to Marx 's ideal of the …show more content…
Life was not glamorous, and conditions for the lower class were often poor.
The Industrial Revolution was strife with serious social problems. Factory and city life meant overfilled tenemant houses, slums, drinking water usually contaminated by raw sewage, unfair and/or low wages for work provided, heavy pollution both from factories as well as overpopulated neighborhoods, housing shortages, and crimes. However, these conditions seemed to motivate the common person. The Industrial Revolution was also the catalyst for the formation of labor unions. Labor unions fought for fairer pay, better conditions for workers, rights and protections for women and children, among many issues. People, especially those of common descent, came together to work to better their communities. Despite the downsides of city life, cities in America were still a vast improvement to the European cities immigrants had previously left behind. Cities here were better organized, had electric lights, and social institutions were available for everyone. Primary among these was a free education to children. asant work in Europe was not as dangerous but it was not percieved as a better oppurtunity either. With the establishment of political agencies to protect workers, the creation of craft guilds/unions, and the evolution of specialized work people could forge themselves better