Industrialization after the Civil War

Industrialization after the Civil War

NAME

US History 105

Introduce your paper with your previously crafted thesis statement

The Industrial Revolution during the 19th century was a pivotal time in history that led to many changes in the way we lived in America. The significant advancements that took place during this time period shaped how lived as a society, affectingthe economy, and transforming the political system in America. This essay is going to discuss these advancements and how they affected our society. We are also going to go look at what changes took place in the economy in America due to the Industrial Revolution as well looking into the way politics changed.

The Industrial Revolution in America after the Civil War made a significant impact in the lives of Americans, business, economy and politics. There were definitely many positive changes as well as negative ones that shaped the way we live today. Making things easier and more efficient doesn’t come without a price, as we will see.

Discuss three (3) major aspects of industrialization between 1865 and 1920

The advancements during industrialization led to a significant shift in society. Before the Industrial Revolution the majority of America was rural due to the economy relying mostly on agriculture. With the advancements in technology leading to machines taking the place of people more factories were being built. This led to people leaving the farms to go to work in factories. With the reduction of farms and an increase in factories this led to areas becoming less rural and more urban. People began migrating to the cities to be near the factories where they can find work. This led to the agricultural economy shifting towards a more industrial economy. (Schultz, 2010)

The economy took a significant turn during this period as well. With the advancements in machines and factories came a significant increase in production of goods. The uptick in production of goods and Americans beginning to seek comfort, convenience, and cleanliness sparked the growth of domestic markets (Blackford, 2010). Also during this time transportation was making advancements leading to an increase in the railroad industry. In 1860 there was 30,000 miles of track, increasing to 166,000 miles by 1890 and up to 250,000 miles of track by 1916 (Blackford 2010). The railroads opened up new markets across the American west giving businesses access to remote markets (Yawp, 2015). The increase in production of goods along with the advancement in transportation and railroad industry led to a substantial uptick in the economy.

Political changes took place during this time as well. The government had a hand in changing the railroad industry by shifting money in their direction. Federal, state, and local governments all took part in the creation of the railroad industry by passing multiple subsidies and giving donations of millions of acres of land (Yawp, 2015). They also showed their support to the big businesses which ending up leading to more corruption in politics with businesses lining the pockets of the politicians to get laws and regulations in their favor. Throughout this time of corruption and greed politicians attempted to ignore other issues at hand like racism towards African Americans.

Identify three (3) specific groups that were affected by industrialization and provide two examples for each group describing how the group was affected

African Americanswere dealing with trying to be a part of a society that was not ready to accept them. As white southerners gained control of state and local governments they attempted to keep African Americans down by passing the Jim Crow laws segregating schools, the transportation system, as well as places of employment. The better paying jobs were only for the whites while African Americans were given the worst paying, dirty, labor intensive jobs. Anxious whites, angry and in fear of African Americans began to form organized groups such as the Klu Klux Klan to terrorize them with violent intimidation. One type of intimidation that was used was lynching of the African Americans. This is where they were not only hanged but were mutilated, burned alive and shot. It became a public spectacle attended by thousands of spectators. (Schultz, 2010)

Another group that felt the affects of the Industrial Revolution was farmers. Some farmers were forced out of the agricultural industry due to not being able to keep up with the advancement of technology. With the passing of the Homestead Act in 1862, if farmers agreed to occupy lands in the west for five years they were given 160 acres of land. This led to a creation of over 400,000 farms (Schultz, 2010). It wasn’t easy out west due to the locust swarms, tornadoes, and extreme weather. Eventually things got better due to the increase in population and the demand for crops increasing. With the increase in railroad networks farmers were able to deliver their crops to supply the increase in demand in other areas. Eventually the prices of crops decreased due to overproduction ended up leaving the farmers in significant debt due to the loans they had to take out for the advanced machinery to keep up with bigger companies. (Schultz, 2010)

As the westward migration took place during this time another group felt the affects as well. This group was the Native Americans. They were subjected to racism from the whites as well. Native Americans were involved in many wars against the white settlers during the gold rush for their lands. The government attempted to step in to assist the Native Americans by offering them land known as open reservations so that they can continue to live with their native traditions. This didn’t sit well with most white Americans and they continued to invade their lands. Since this was not working the government established the Dawes General Allotment Act. This act declared that all the lands held by tribes be divided among families and individuals. This land was held in a trust for twenty-five years so that the Native Americans were unable to sell them. At the end of the twenty-five years the Native Americans would receive title to the land and also become U.S. citizens. Most of these lands ended up being lost with two-thirds being owned by white Americans by 1934. (Schultz, 2010)

During the Industrial Revolution the average American worker incurred many changes. They began working long hours for low pay and no benefits because there were no regulations on businesses and how they ran them. It wasn’t uncommon for someone to work a fourteen-hour day. Many businesses provided housing close to the factory so that the workers could walk to work. These were called tenements. They did not have plumbing and lacked proper ventilation and they were often over crowded. With the increase in factories and a need for middle managers to help manage day- to-day operations a middle class began to be established (Schultz, 2010)

• Summarize how industrialization affected the life of the average working American during this period

During this time, due to racism against African American and immigrant workers, there was discrimination and segregation in the workplace due to a society that was not ready to accept them as regular citizens. As stated before, they were not able to get the higher paying jobs and had to deal with the low paying, dirty, labor intensive jobs.

Also women and children began to work in the factories, leaving their previous place in society as homemakers. Children were needed due to them being cheap labor and they also came in handy when machines would break down they were small enough to fit into tight spots to fix them. There were child labor laws but they were ignored by most of the big businesses. (Schultz, 2010)

These conditions eventually led to unions being developed to try and help improve regulations on the businesses and how they ran everything. One of the biggest labor unions was called The Knights of Labor. The unions fought for workers to get fair pay and benefits for their members. This labor movement didn’t come without its issues. Members of the unions began to get fired for belonging to the union. The union members would also become blacklisted so they wouldn’t be able to be hired by other companies. (Schultz, 2010)

The Industrial Revolution after the Civil War had both negative and positive affects to society, the economy, and politics. The explosion of the economy came with a price to many different groups of Americans. These developments and changes still impact us today.

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