Assignment 12: Industrialization After The Civil War 703490

Assignment 12industrialization After The Civil War Final Paperdue We

After the Civil War, the United States became a much more industrialized society. Between 1865 and 1920, industrialization improved American life in many ways. However, industrialization also created problems for American society. Consider events that took place after the Civil War and discuss ways that industrialization affected the U.S. between 1865 and 1920. You have already developed a thesis statement and developed an outline in which you identify three main points relevant to your topic.

Now you will develop the final paper in which you explore your main points in detail. Write a three to five (3-5) page paper in which you: Introduce your paper with your previously crafted thesis statement. Discuss three (3) major aspects of industrialization between 1865 and 1920. In your response, consider society, the economy, and politics. Identify three (3) specific groups that were affected by industrialization and provide two examples for each group describing how the group was affected. (Consider issues such as race, ethnicity, gender, child labor, etc.) Summarize how industrialization affected the life of the average working American during this period.

Use specific examples and details. 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 style 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. The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are: Identify and discuss the different ways that the heritage of slavery, the Civil War, the Reconstruction, and segregation have shaped America’s history. Summarize and discuss the ways that formal policies of government have influenced the direction of historical and social development in the United States. Recognize the major turning points in American history since the Civil War.

Use technology and information resources to research issues in contemporary U.S. history. Write clearly and concisely about contemporary U.S. history using proper writing mech.

Paper For Above instruction

The transformative period following the Civil War, often referred to as the Gilded Age and the early Twentieth Century, marked a significant shift in the American socio-economic landscape. The rapid industrialization between 1865 and 1920 revolutionized American society, impacting its economy, political structures, and social fabric. This essay explores three major aspects of this industrial boom, examines three groups affected by these changes, and assesses the overall impact on the average American worker.

Industrialization and Its Impact on Society, Economy, and Politics

One of the most visible effects of industrialization was the transformation of American society from agrarian to urban-centric. Cities grew exponentially as industrial centers attracted millions seeking employment opportunities. For example, Chicago and New York became booming urban hubs, but this growth also led to overcrowded living conditions and urban poverty. The rise of tenement housing exemplifies how industrialization worsened living conditions for many working-class Americans (Boyer & Morais, 2015).

Economically, industrialization created unprecedented wealth and fostered the rise of large corporations and monopolies. Figures like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie epitomized this trend with their expansive oil and steel empires. However, such economic concentration also led to significant disparities, with wealth accruing to a small elite while many workers endured poverty. The implementation of policies such as protective tariffs and lax regulation facilitated this economic growth but also fostered corrupt political practices (Hofstadter, 2014).

Politically, the era was characterized by government support of industry through policies that favored business interests. The dominance of political machines like Tammany Hall in New York demonstrated the close relationship between business and politics, often leading to widespread corruption. Additionally, laissez-faire policies limited government intervention in business practices, which contributed to both economic growth and social inequality (Gordon, 2012).

Groups Affected by Industrialization

Industrialization profoundly affected various societal groups. Firstly, immigrant workers, especially those from Southern and Eastern Europe, faced both opportunities and exploitation. Many worked in unsafe factories for low wages, exemplified by the tenement labor in New York City that housed thousands of immigrant families (Foner, 2013). Child labor was pervasive, with children employed in coal mines and textile mills under hazardous conditions, reflecting exploitation driven by economic necessity (Hine & McCarney, 2017).

Secondly, women experienced both empowerment and discrimination during this period. While many women entered factory work, earning wages and gaining economic independence, they also faced gender-based discrimination and limited rights. The rise of female industrial labor contributed to early feminist movements advocating for labor rights and gender equality (Dubofsky & Diner, 2012).

Thirdly, African Americans and other racial minorities endured segregation and discrimination despite their critical contributions to industrial growth. Many worked in low-paid, unskilled positions, and racial violence was rampant, particularly in the South, which hindered mobility and equality. The rise of Jim Crow laws and racial violence exemplified the systemic barriers faced by minorities (Lemann, 2016).

Effects of Industrialization on the Average Worker

The typical working American experienced both gains and hardships during this era. While industrialization brought about increased employment opportunities and higher wages compared to rural farm labor, it also introduced grueling working conditions, long hours, and job insecurity. Union movements like the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor emerged in response to these conditions, advocating for workers' rights, better wages, and safer environments (Chamberlain, 2017).

Additionally, industrialization facilitated the growth of a consumer economy with mass-produced goods, which improved living standards but also led to a focus on material wealth and increased societal stratification. For many workers, the American Dream was intertwined with the hope of economic mobility, yet exploitation and inequality often curtailed these aspirations (Gerber, 2014).

Overall, industrialization fundamentally reshaped the lives of average Americans, offering new opportunities but also exposing them to exploitation and social disparities. The legacy of this period continues to influence contemporary American society and its ongoing struggles with economic inequality and workers' rights.

References

• Boyer, M. C., & Morais, D. (2015). America's History. Wadsworth Publishing.
• Chamberlain, J. (2017). The Labor Movement in the United States. Routledge.
• Dubofsky, M., & Diner, R. (2012). Labor Leaders in America. University of Illinois Press.
• Give Me Liberty!: An American History. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Gordon, M. (2012). The Politics of Business: The Rise of Political Machines. Oxford University Press.
• Gershberg, A. I. (2014). Americans and Their History. Cengage Learning.
• Hine, D. C., & McCarney, P. (2017). Children and Youth in America: A Documentary History. Bedford/St. Martin's.
• Hofstadter, R. (2014). The Age of Reform. Vintage.
• Lemann, N. (2016). The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
• Gordon, M. (2012). The Politics of Business: The Rise of Political Machines. Oxford University Press.