The Second Industrial Revolution

By the time of the Civil War, the technologies upon which the First Industrial Revolution was based were established in the United States. In the years following the war, the nation's industrial energies were focused on completing the railroad and telegraph networks of the North, rebuilding those of the South, and expanding those of the West. Once the devastating depression of the 1870’s depleted, the stage was set for the Second Industrial Revolution.

New inventions came about to ease the production of goods that were being supplied. The creation of factories emerged by retailers who were struggling to meet the requirements of the masses surrounding them. The formation of power driven machinery was initiated in order to compete with others. These machines began to replace skilled craftspeople. Since this involved less people, labor costs were reduced, as well as the prices for the goods that were produced. Depending on the country’s needs, the machinery produced products by the thousands or even millions.

The impact of these new inventions caused a dramatic drop of the life expectancy of the average citizen. Because most families were rather poor, everyone had to work. Since there were no child labor laws, children were sent to work in coal mines, and silk mills. Women also had to work, mostly in textiles factories or as seamstresses. Women and children were expected to work up to sixteen hours a day, doing labor that could cause serious injury, such as carrying extremely heavy loads. They were paid very low wages for their work. Women were paid around five shillings per week, and children were paid about one. Prior to the industrialization, women were never considered as an economic working force, but instead to take care of the household. During the industrialization, women had a big impact on the future but it was not easy for them, since it was often difficult to achieve their goals for equality in the male dominated society. Upon entering World War I, women hoped for more rights. They also had hopes of becoming equal to the white male. Without women, the Industrial Revolution would have never come about. Women make up roughly fifty percent of the world’s population; therefore a revolution without women would have been impossible since they were an important work force, such as in cotton factories or other textile manufacturing markets. For the f...

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.... However, this wasn’t always the case. There were improvements, nevertheless, people still got sick because of the unsanitary conditions of the factory.

We would not be where we are today without the inventions and changes from the industrialization that took place to form a more ideal society. Our lives would not be enhanced with the technology that helps us to learn and grow. Without the growth of industrialization and the inventions it brought about, people would still be working on farms. It is easy to recognize the negative aspects of such a dramatic event. However, if the revolution is viewed as a whole, it is noticeable that the positive aspects completely outweigh the negative aspects. In the beginning, people struggled and suffered, but normally people do sacrifice at first with change and progress. As time went on, people gained more benefits, and their lives became better. Work became much less tedious, and most people found themselves with more leisure time. These are just some of the many aspects of the revolution that benefited the people as a nation. Sacrifices were made, which in turn, created happiness, life opportunities, and an over all, betterment of life.