The Rise Of Industry In Upton Sinclair's The Jungle

The rise of industry in America had a lasting influence on all social classes. The changes that came with the new growth of industry impacted the nation as a whole by creating opportunities for a better way of life. An influx of eager workers, raw materials and a willing government, provided America with the chance to advance and thrive as a nation.
Job opportunities began to surface as well as a constant need for workers, which was accompanied by a demand for jobs. While the upper class had an easier time making a living, the working class had a much more grueling experience trying to reach the American Dream. Taylorism was introduced to factories during this time and it provided benefits as well as drawbacks for the working class.

The concept of taylorism provided simple jobs for anyone willing to work, but a downside was that masses of people were looking for work so no man had an advantage over another, since there was no skill required for the job. Workers were easily replaceable which meant no one’s job was secure. The fear of losing their jobs, plus the dangerous conditions and unjust wages, led workers to form labor unions. These unions would not only help them keep jobs but they were meant to improve the working environments and increase pay. Labor unions also fought to end child labor, as it was becoming increasingly common for children to work long hours in harsh and dangerous conditions.
Although the jobs and conditions were nowhere near ideal, immigrants were satisfied with any work they could find, because they felt like their American Dream was coming true.

A big step towards this dream for many immigrants was purchasing their own home. Advertisements for houses appealed to immigrants with low income and prompted them to move out of overcrowded cities. Upton Sinclair successfully portrayed the feeling that working class people experienced when buying a home and getting one step closer to their dream, in his novel The Jungle. Jurgis, a working class immigrant, came across an advertisement for houses in the suburbs and made the ultimate decisions to purchase a home with his family. The overwhelming feeling of joy was expressed by all members of the family as they found themselves living their American dream. The concept of immigrants moving to suburbs changed how they were perceived. Immigrant life was advancing and they were no longer seen as poor people living in battered, overcrowded

tenements.
Immigrants were content with their way of life in the beginning of their journeys, but they soon grasped the reality of their unjust treatment. Big businesses were taking advantage of their power and treating their workers poorly. Corruption of these businesses led to unfair wages and dangerous working conditions. It became necessary for businesses to become regulated by the government because the effect of corruption was hurting the working class. The Standard Oil Company was an increasingly powerful monopoly and Americans realized it was necessary for the government to step in. The power that this company had over the industry compares to when Jurgis sees all the control that one company had over the meatpacking industry, in Upton sinclair’s The Jungle. A result of powerful businesses was unfair wealth distribution. Employees were not getting the wages they deserved and this resulted in a call to action to the middle class.
Laissez faire capitalism was the major factor that allowed big businesses to become so powerful and eventually become corrupt.

It was evident that running the government this way was only beneficial to wealthy Americans, so people began to consider socialism. Socialists believed that the upper class should not have all the wealth and workers deserved better wages. In order to promote socialism, supporters advertised the new concept and appealed to people’s emotions, hoping they would sympathize with the working class and be open to changes in the government. As the American people considered one change in their government, other changes were already being put into effect. The Chinese Exclusion Act was set forth and it denied Chinese immigrants from becoming citizens. This law was controversial among Americans and it split the feelings of the nation. Though the law was viewed as tyrannical by most of the American public, it was consistent for years, as the government continued to renew

it.
As businesses developed and new opportunities grew for America, the country experienced how the wealthy and powerful can take advantage of their positions. During the time period of industrial growth, the wealth in America was not regulated properly, but with these upsets came prosperity. When the government no longer followed laissez faire capitalism, businesses became regulated. These regulations were set to prevent corruption, which improved the conditions for the working class. Throughout the rise of industry in America, the nation made changes based off of what the country faced and ultimately it succeeded in providing the best opportunities for citizens.