Industrialization After the Civil War Thesis and Outline

Industrialization After the Civil War Thesis and Outline

Assignment 1.1

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Assignment 1: Industrialization After the Civil War Thesis and Outline

Thesis Topic: Industrialization after the Civil War was a major component in creating the advanced world we live in today. The industrial revolution connected America through transportation, leading to easier communication. It shifted how the process of business went about allowing productivity to skyrocket. Industrialization changed how the average person lived their life with their family and how they earned money to provide for that family. Political control was superseded by the wealthy. It shifted the majority of workers from agricultural positions to industrial ones. Finally, it urbanized American society, so that we could eventually become a super power of a nation.

1. Major Aspects of Industrialization

a. Business and industrialization centered on the cities. The ever increasing number of factories created an intense need for labor, convincing people in rural areas to move to the city, and drawing immigrants from Europe to the United States. As a result, the United States transformed from an agrarian to an urban nation, and the demographics of the country shifted dramatically.

b. Laissez-faire economics helped the country industrialize. Supporters of Laissez-faire believe that government should not interfere in the economy other than protect property rights and maintain peace.

c. Industrialization brought us many technological advancements. A few of those were being able to utilize a faster, safer, and easier way of transportation. Many of the factory workers, used to making everything by hand, were able to work at ease with the help of machines during the industrial revolution.

2. Specific Groups Affected by Industrialization

a. The Native Americans were significantly affected by the sudden change industrialization brought to them.

b. The second group of individuals affected by industrialization was the middle and lower class group of workers. For the most part the middle class benefited from industrialization; teaching expanded, middle management was born, and professional employment increased.

c. Alongside the middle and low class workers were the farmers. In the late 19th century, agriculture was becoming increasingly commercial and increasingly mechanized. Because of this, competition increased from all over the world thus leading to low income for farmers.

d. The new middle class was a result of American expansionism in the 19th century due to the Industrial Revolution. The increase in production and distribution through the rise of factories gave credence to the new class.

e. Immigrants were affected by Industrialization. Due to this high increase in immigration, the United States began laying down immigration laws.

3. Ways Industrialization affected the life of the average American

a. Socially, industrialization created new classes. The new rich and the middle working class.

b. Economically, people no longer needed to go to one source to buy their products.

c. It led to the transportation revolution and also reduced the cost of production leading to mass production and cheaper items for Americans.

d. Farmers were introduced to new technologies to make planting, cultivating and harvesting crops easier.

e. Lives of the average woman saw great change as well. Traditionally, women were the ones to take care of the household but now were also working in factories.

4. Conclusion

The Industrial Revolution transformed human life by changing methods of manufacturing, the way people made a living, and the products available to them

Reference:

Baker, P Industrialization of American Society. (n.d) retrieved 1/22/2014, from Industrialization of America Web Site: http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/pabacker/industrial.htm

The Industrial Revolution in America. (n.d) retrieved 1/22/2014, from Sage American History Web Site: http://www.citationcreation.com/apa/website.html