1. Industrialization transformed American life in the late 19th century as nothing had before. What was the overall character of this industrial change? Focusing on the careers and companies of Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, discuss how big business emerged and altered the old republic of small businesses and small farmers. To what degree was this a revolution and the creation of a new economic order in the United States? How did workers and government respond? What was life like in the age of the new industrial city?
The Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century had a large impact on life in America. From the change in the nature of labor, the transformation from small, artisan business to large manufacturing enterprise, and the
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This change increased the production capacity of industry and made more finished goods available on a national and global scale. The new nationwide network of railways provided for the transport of raw materials to industrial sites and the subsequent distribution of finished goods throughout the nation. Inventors and innovators developed new products, while business mass-produced large quantities of these products. Bankers and investors accumulated large sums of money in order for these businesses to have the financial capabilities to expand their business. Immigrants flocked to America to participate in the American dream of a good life. When all these factors are considered, it is clear to see the overarching theme of industrialization was the creation and supply of consumer demands at a sustainable …show more content…
Rockefeller (1839-1937): As the founder of the Standard Oil Company and related subsidiaries, John D. Rockefeller became one of the world’s wealthiest men. As one of the Captains of Industry, Rockefeller was one of the primary movers of the trend to bigness for its own sake and as a competitive edge to great profits during the industrialization of America. He exemplified the evolution of character in this age, transforming from a fierce, accumulative competitor to a significant philanthropist later in life.
The Knights of Labor: Beginning as a secret society of tailors in 1869, the Knights of Labor grew into a trade group with over 700,000 members in 1886. The group evolved into a public organization dedicated to seeking 8-hour workdays, eliminating child labor, and ensuring equal pay for equal work. This is significant because during this time, labor pay was plummeting with the efficiency of machine provided by the industrialized mechanization, and treatment of workers was often harsh and arbitrary. The organization lost popularity for its supposed role in the May 4, 1886 Haymarket Square Massacre, turning a protest into a violent clash with police after a bomb was thrown at police, and was further depleted as its lack of effectiveness was evident during the Panic of
John D. Rockefeller as a Robber Baron A "robber baron" was someone who employed any means necessary to enrich themselves at the expense of their competitors. Did John D. Rockefeller fall into that category or was he one of the "captains of industry", whose shrewd and innovative leadership brought order out of industrial chaos and generated great fortunes that enriched the public welfare through the workings of various philanthropic agencies that these leaders established? In the early 1860s Rockefeller was the founder of the Standard Oil Company, who came to epitomize both the success and excess of corporate capitalism. His company was based in northwestern Pennsylvania. A major question historians have disagreed on has been whether or not John D. Rockefeller was a so-called "robber baron".
The Industrial Revolution in America began to develop in the mid-eighteen hundreds after the Civil War. Prior to this industrial growth the work force was mainly based in agriculture, especially in the South (“Industrial Revolution”). The advancement in machinery and manufacturing on a large scale changed the structure of the work force. Families began to leave the farm and relocate to larger settings to work in the ever-growing industries. One area that saw a major change in the work force was textile manufacturing. Towns in the early nineteen hundreds were established around mills, and workers were subjected to strenuous working conditions. It would take decades before these issues were addressed. Until then, people worked and struggled for a life for themselves and their families. While conditions were harsh in the textile industry, it was the sense of community that sustained life in the mill villages.
The mid-19th century is one of the major turnarounds in the history of the United States. That is the time when America became an industrial giant and emerged as one of the most powerful countries in the world. The Industrial Revolution changed the people’s way of living in the whole world, especially the United States, from hand and home productivity to machine and factory. America rose from a rural and agricultural country to an urban-industrial that introduced new technologies. The United States has been through a lot of ups and downs in spite of its emergence and three books tell the story of the Industrial America from three different perspectives.
The industrial cities that spawned during and after the birth of the Industrial Revolution were very different from the cities that existed before to the revolution. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, cities were a market where trade goods could be bought and sold. Trappers and hunters would come into towns to sell their goods to shoppers who were eager to obtain these items. Blacksmiths and barbershops, saloons and banks, farmers and stable masters were typically the primary typical businesspersons within a typical pre-industrial revolution city. The traditional American city went through many drastic changes in a short period of time during the Industrial Revolution, and would never be the same. Some may claim that American cities during the Industrial Revolution were suffering due to the sudden growth that they were experiencing. Although American cities were in fact riddled with problems during the Industrial Revolution, the innovations to solve these problems would change the shape of America forever, for the better.
The mid 19th century was an age of growth like no other. The term “Industrial Revolution” refers to the time period where production changed from homemade goods, to those produced by machines and factories. As industrial growth developed and cities grew, the work done by men and women diverged from the old agricultural life. People tended to leave home to work in the new factories being built. They worked in dangerous conditions, were paid low wages, and lacked job security (Kellogg). It is difficult to argue, however, that the economic development of the United States was not greatly dependent on the industrial revolution.
Meyer, David R. The Roots of American Industrialization. N.p.: JHU, 2003. N. pag. Google Books. JHU Press. Web. 29 Sept. 2013
Transportation advances began a unification process across the country, both economically and culturally (Roark, 262). The United States finally started to take advantage of the natural resources of the land to benefit the economy. By having water powered equipment, the growth of factories mushroomed, but at the same time, caused a great issue with working conditions and the employment of women. Financing new ventures became an important facet during the market revolution. America’s money supply grew considerably, which led to increased investment opportunities.
Industrialization was a period of rapid expansion in the 19th and 20th century for the United States and had a profound effect on the country. Although there was much success across the country, such as massive population growth and manual labor becoming easier, the negative effects of industrialization outweigh the positives.
John Rockefeller was an American entrepreneur who amassed a fortune in the petroleum business. He was the head man behind the advancement of the Standard Oil Company, which developed to command the oil business and turned into one of the first huge trusts in the United States, subsequently causing much discussion and restriction in regards to its business practices and manifestation of association.
As urban industrial workers expanded in the 19th century, industry and the industrial work force boomed as well. Workers , however, were met with difficult situations that ultimately led to violent outbursts. Low wages could not buy food and clothes at the same time and conditions in the work place brought about countless deaths and injuries. Growing number of immigrants caused the reduction of wages and insecurity of the workers caused unemployment. There were hostilities between workers, employers, and organizations and complaints of no social safety nets. Due to these chaotic dilemmas, union members decided to emerge as one, in order to overcome the corporations. Methods of scientific management were incorporated and the two ideological groups (radicals and conservatives) were firmly rooted in the belief of mutualism. However, conflicts between anarchists and capitalists ignited strikes, generating the Haymarket Square Riot along with the Homestead and Pullman strikes. It was then clear that they could not eliminate corporate control. Even with unity, the workers resulted in a fruitless effort.
The American Industrial Revolution, from 1870 to 1920, changed the United States residents from a farming group of individuals to one that was exceptionally industrialized. It was a time of drastic change and transformation from hand tools, and hand made items to machine manufactured and mass produced goods. They started to execute quite a bit of their work in industrial facilities and on machinery. This revolution generally helped out life, but also delayed it as well. This transfer took around fifty years and fashioned an emotional change in the country's financial history. Various modifications occurred within the American Industrial Revolution. Fumes, such as co2 levels in the atmosphere rose, working conditions deteriorated, and the amount
The Industrial Revolution was a period from the 18th to the 19th century where major changes in agriculture, manufacturing, transport, and technology had a profound effect in North America. The industrial revolution marked a major turning point in history because it changed every aspect of life in America and the country as a whole. People started replacing ploughs and other tools for machines that could do twice the work. While others moved to large cities and started working in factories and other businesses. Huge industries such as the textile, steel, and coal industry came out and had a profound effect on the industrial revolution but, they would not have been extremely successful if it was not for railroads. The railroads played a vital role in the development and success of other industries. The railroads triggered the biggest leap in transportation in history. Through technological and entrepreneurial innovations and the creation of steam-powered locomotives, the development of trains as public carriers of passengers and freight, brought forth the railroad. The railroad industry changed the nature of production because it became an important energy source that replaced human and animal power. Due to the important role of the railroads, workers became more productive, items were being shipped more quickly, and resources were becoming available to everyone including the working and middle class and not only the wealthy. The railroads became to be known as one of the biggest leaps of transportation in history. This is because it set up the next fifty years of America’s prosperity. The railroads became extremely popular and useful during the 1800’s to millions of people and other large companies. Although there were many indu...
Industrial revolution, in the 19th century, revolutionized the economy and the lifestyle of America. It had many more effects, including the urbanization in the United States. Statistics show that from 1820 to 1920, the number of cities in the USA rose from 61 to 2722. Likewise, the urban population increased many times too. Industrialization also changed the production techniques by the extensive use of division of labor to divide simplified tasks among specialized labor. Urbanization and division of labor are highly correlated, and division of labor crucially aided the urbanization of the United States of America.
America has been expanding and growing since its birth out of Great Britain. The Industrial Revolution has been an influence in the American life since it first began in the 1700s. Many of the effects resulting from the revolution still affect America to this day. The entrepreneurs of this time and their industry still are around, although they have molded and shaped themselves into better products their still known from the originality of it all. Although the Industrial Revolution began hundreds of years ago it has affected everything on a global scale with other nations adapting from the innovations of this era. Economically speaking its increased money for the nation tremendously although the nation in debt to other nations to this day; during the era it rose so quick among the other nations it was spectacular. Now, ecologically speaking it has impacted the environment in a lot of negative ways. There has been so many positive and negatives to come out of the Industrial Revolution it has had more of a neutral impact on everything.
Starting in the early 19th Century the United States underwent the industrial revolution. The work that many people did changed as they moved from farms and small workshops into larger factories. They tended to buy things in stores, rather than make them at home or trade with their neighbors. They used machines, and purchased the products of machines, more than they ever had.