Assignment 11 Template Attached Files
Assignment 11 Templateattached Filesassignment 11 Templatedoc31 K
Write a thesis statement that is one to two (1-2) sentences long in which you: State your thesis on how industrialization after the Civil War influenced U.S. society, economy, and politics.
Justify your response. For the first part of this assignment you will create a thesis statement. A thesis statement is usually a single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your main idea to the reader. The body of the essay organizes the material you gather and present in support of your main idea. Keep in mind that a thesis is an interpretation of a question or subject, not the subject itself. (Note: Please consult the Purdue OWL Website with tips on how to construct a proper thesis; the website can be found at: part 2: For the next part of this assignment you will create an outline of the main points you want to address in this paper.
This outline will serve as the basis for your Assignment 1.2 Final Draft. (Note: Please use the Purdue Owl Website to assist you with this assignment; this website can be accessed at: Write a one to two (1-2) page outline in which you: List three (3) major aspects of industrialization between 1865 and 1920. In your response, consider society, the economy, and politics. List five (5) specific groups that were affected by industrialization. Provide two (2) examples for each group describing how the group was affected. (Consider issues such as race, ethnicity, gender, child labor, etc.) List five (5) ways that industrialization affected the life of the average working American during this period. Use at least three (3) academic references besides or in addition to the textbook.
Note : Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources. Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements: Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references must follow APA or school-specific format. Check with your professor for any additional instructions. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page and the reference page are not included in the required assignment page length.
Paper For Above instruction
Following the post-Civil War period, known as the Gilded Age and the early 20th century, the United States experienced substantial industrial growth. This transformation impacted American society, economy, and politics profoundly, shaping the nation into an industrial powerhouse. The essence of this period's industrialization lies in its capacity to revolutionize production, labor, and governance, but not without considerable social upheaval and challenges.
Undoubtedly, the most significant aspect of industrialization during 1865-1920 was the rapid expansion of manufacturing industries. Advancements in technology, such as the expansion of the railroad network, the invention of the telephone, and mechanized manufacturing, allowed goods to be produced and distributed on an unprecedented scale. This growth shifted economic power from agrarian-based economies to burgeoning urban industrial centers, paving the way for a consumer economy driven by mass production. Politically, the era saw the rise of influential business magnates—rockefeller, carnegie, and vanderbilt—who shaped regulatory policies and influenced government decisions, often leading to the rise of monopolies and trusts that prompted the progressive movement seeking regulation and accountability (Gordon, 2016).
Industrialization profoundly affected various social groups, with significant repercussions on race, ethnicity, gender, and labor. African Americans, for example, faced increased racial discrimination as industrial cities often became hubs of racial segregation and disenfranchisement, while experiencing limited economic opportunities, often confined to low-wage, menial jobs. European immigrants, especially Italians and Eastern Europeans, found employment in factories but endured harsh working conditions and exploitation, fundamentally shaping their social identities and community structures (Ngai, 2004). Women entered the workforce in large numbers, often working for lower wages than men in textile mills and garment factories, which sparked early feminist movements advocating for better working conditions and suffrage rights (Flexner & Fitzpatrick, 2014). Child labor also surged during this period, with children working long hours under hazardous conditions—highlighted by reform movements that eventually led to child labor laws. These groups' experiences collectively highlight social stratification and inequity entrenched during industrial capitalism.
The impacts on the everyday American worker were equally transformative. Five key ways include increased employment opportunities, albeit often in unsafe and oppressive conditions; higher urbanization as rural populations migrated seeking jobs; the rise of labor movements and strikes advocating for better wages and hours; the expansion of middle-class consumerism driven by increased production; and the adverse effects on family life, including child labor and shifting gender roles as women and children entered the workforce (Foner & Garraty, 2014). Many workers faced exploitation, long hours, and unsafe environments, which led to the emergence of labor unions such as the American Federation of Labor to defend workers’ rights (Berger, 2014).
This period of intense industrial growth carved its legacy into American history, fostering economic prosperity while simultaneously sowing social inequalities and political debates concerning regulation, labor rights, and economic concentration. Understanding these complex dynamics is crucial to grasping the broader narrative of America’s modernization and the groundwork for subsequent social reforms.
References
- Berger, S. (2014). The Transformation of the American Worker. Princeton University Press.
- Flexner, E., & Fitzpatrick, E. (2014). Century of Struggle: The Woman Suffrage Movement in America. Harvard University Press.
- Foner, E., & Garraty, J. A. (2014). The American Past: A Survey of American History. Pearson.
- Gordon, S. (2016). The Rise of Big Business, 1860–1900. Heinemann.
- Ngai, M. M. (2004). Impossible Subjects: Illegal Aliens and the Making of Modern America. Princeton University Press.