1. After the United States civil war, the country took steps in order to become a much more industrialized nation.

2. The main reason behind industrialization was better movement of

a) Persons

b) goods and

c) services

Thesis Statement: The effects of industrialization in the period 1865-1920 had both visible benefits and drawbacks on different groups in the society.

Major Aspects of Industrialization

1. Urbanization

a) The urban areas became increasingly concentrated with political power, economic activities and workers after the American civil war (Katznelson, 1982).

b) New large cities came up which developed along new transportation routes rather than along the coastal lines.

c) Industrialization reinforced urbanization, and urban cities became increasingly congested.

2. Agricultural Production

a) Between the years 1865-1905, more land was put under agricultural use as more states joined the Union.

b) Developed agricultural techniques and mechanization made farming efficient.

c) The railroad transport system made distribution much easier(Dubofsky, 1996).

3. Immigration and Labor Issues

a) The high pace of industrialization after the civil war meant that the number of workers who were willing to accept low-paying, dangerous jobs dropped.

b) The demand for low unskilled workers led to an increase in wages that attracted droves of immigrants into the country. Strikes led to the formation of unions to broker for better pay and improved working conditions (Brown, 2013).

Groups Affected by Industrialization

1. Rich Businessmen

a) Factories and low skill job levels for immigrants made mass production of goods at low costs to be achieved.

b) Rich businessmen who owned these factories and companies like John D. Rockefeller and Andrew Carnegie became very rich.

c) The rich businessmen were able to do great things like construction of libraries and funding charities.

2. Working People

a) Industrialization also brought in its wake, horrible working conditions for the workers.

b) Lack of cheap labor led to employment of children in factories.

c) The development of American Federation of Labor which sought to better the working conditions of workers.

d) The immigrants, on the other hand, got jobs that were better paying than at their home country (Vapnek, 2009).

3. The Poor

a) With industrial development, the gap between the rich and poor broadened which also changed the public opinion of the poor towards the rich. Consequently, the rich also viewed the poor negatively.

b) Women and children were exploited more and paid less than the men.

4. Farmers

a) Farming improved, and consequently the living conditions of farmers also improved with industrialization.

b) Better methods and labor intensive cash crops were grown to increase their profits.

5. Children

a) The number of young people who graduated increased and those who would participate in government and available job opportunities also increased.

b) The less fortunate children and young people were forced to work in factories that degraded the value of their life.

How Industrialization Affected the Life of Average Working American

1. Living conditions and quality of life was low for many average skilled workers.

2. The role of women shifted from the traditional home keeper to a co-provider in the family.

3. Life expectancy and health decreased with industrialization as a result of urbanization. It was, as a result, congested urban centers.

4. The life of an average worker was characterized with more work and families were just sanctuaries from stressful work. Home continued to be separate from work as the members sought to make more money to support their families (Fustenberg, 1966).

5. Wealth and income did not change considerably for the average workers as did with the rich

(Vapnek, 2009).

Conclusion

1. Industrialization improved the life of Americans and made the country a world power on the back of its inventions.

2. However, it had several negative effects which included deplorable working conditions and child labor.

3. Additionally, primitive living conditions were other characteristics for these workers.

References

Brown, A. Y. (2013). The American Economy 1860-1940. Routledge.

Dubofsky, M. (1996). Industrialism and the American worker, 1865-1920. Wheeling, Ill: H.

Franklin, J. H. (1994). Reconstruction After the Civil War. University of Chicago Press.

Furstenberg Jr, F. F. (1966). Industrialization and the American family: A look backward.

American Sociological Review, 326-337.

Katznelson, I. (1982). City trenches: Urban politics and the patterning of class in the United

States. Chicago: Univ. of Chicago Press.

Vapnek, L. (2009). Breadwinners: working women and economic independence, 1865-1920.

University of Illinois Press.