Division between different classes of people in late 18th century began with the industrial revolution. People divided themselves into different classes of the rich owners of industries and poor workers. Also, introduction of museums and libraries contributed greatly to the division. The two were mostly used to preserve the culture and to store information. This information was mostly needed by those that were already conducting businesses to help explore their markets and by traders to help them determine places that were currently conducive for business. This put those who were in low class out of reach to those who were in middle and upper class since the low class workers and slaves did not need any information

Middle class women started acquiring higher education as schools providing the same became more popular (Morril act 1862). They also started to work giving up the common belief of the time that they were supposed to stay at home doing domestic chores. The shift threatened traditional gender roles since industries employed more single women. The idea of the social gospel originated as reform effort in protestant churches where it preached for freedom for self-development that could only be brought by equalization of wealth and power.

There was an introduction of women’s club mostly in the protestant Christianity (History 40B LEC 9 wk. 1). This gave women with leadership opportunities and also a platform to grow politically on their own. They met to discuss concerns regarding their cities and even ended up forming their own organizations. This brought unity among women who were on the previous time divided and lacked something to bring unity among them.

As women became more civilized, the society started to shift, and some started to embrace the new position of the women in the society (History 40B wk. 9 lecture 1). This, however, was not the case with low class workers who used to work in the industries. They believed that a woman participating in any employment was loss of morals and that women ought to stay at home and do their chores.

The second industrial revolution came with accelerated growth of all sectors especially the manufacturing sector (History 40B wk. 9 lecture 1). This was particularly fuelled by building of the railway line. Other sectors including Agriculture also grew in a high rate though the manufacturing industry recorded the highest growth. This led to a great division between the rich who built and those who were building the industries and those who were working on them both for wages and as slaves. The owners of the industries were the rich few mostly comprised of the whites while the poor many were casual laborers in the industries. Also, the industries required raw materials for their continued existence and hence the many poor had to work for the resources. Most of the raw materials included agriculture products and minerals. This meant that the poor laborers had to work in mines and the plantations.

Family run businesses were replaced with corporations, and these corporations were incorporated and shares sold to the public (History 40B wk. 9 lecture 2). There was also the introduction of management to run these companies instead of owners of the business running the business themselves. This helped incorporate experience and professionalism in the running of the companies this brought together those people who were in high ranks as they shared ideas and also it brought together the workers and slaves who had the same aim. Sharing of experiences and professionalism led to the formulation of the earliest rules of accounting.

Many labor unions were formed the earliest being in 1869 (History 40B wk. 9 lecture2). This brought the workers together, and they helped keep their employers on toes. They were used to demand better rights for workers bringing about the earliest strike which was the Great Railroad strike of 1877 which was in response to the killing of 20 workers. This was followed by many other protests which led to both death and injuries of many this led to public sympathy of the factory workers. This led to differentiation between the employees who were of low class and their employers who were of middle and upper class further widening the gap between the two.

As the industrial revolution came to place, racism became evident as there was a need for people who would work in the industries. People were segregated according to their color of their skin (Jim Crow laws, 1876). No white men were allowed to work in the mines and also the whites were supposed to dominate the blacks. These two races used to work at the same mines for different conditions. The whites worked under better conditions and for fewer hours while, at the same time, the blacks worked under harsh conditions for aa longer period for less pay.

The Plessy vs. Ferguson case of separate but equal was used to cement the whites continued domination over the blacks; they argued that even if the two races had a right to enjoy the same services, they had to do so in separate facilities (Plessy vs. Ferguson, 1896). This, although they argued that was to maintain dignity to the whites, was to lock out the blacks from the luxurious services that they enjoyed. But from their argument, the judges ruled that this had nothing to do with racial segregation. They argued that if there was any racism in the equal but separate rule, it was all on the black’s mind, and that could not be settled in court. This was, however, untrue because the only main emphasis was on railway cars. Otherwise, most of the other services including cafeteria, public schools and public toilets had a lot of disparity with the blacks being of poor quality against the whites high quality well maintained facilities (History 40B wk. 9 lecture 1). This was mainly to avoid interaction between the blacks and the whites to ensure the two races did not have sexual relationship to avoid bringing up half casts that were said to corrupt the whites.

Advancement in technology meant more industrialization and hence this meant that there was high demand for the raw materials (Atlanta Exposition Speech, 1895). Since the whites had traditionally associated black color with evil and filth, they ordered for more Africans who came to America involuntarily. They were termed as the only source of free or cheap labor. The slaves were considered as property with no rights. This was the height of racism by taking people as property who have no rights. Rather than receiving a fair trial, the blacks were lynched by a white mob since they considered it as the only punishment fit for the blacks.

Due to continued racism the black Americans and Africans who had American citizenship came together (History 40B wk 9 lecture 2). They formed a group to advocate for their rights and to counter the harsh rules that were put by the whites against the blacks. Although they did not manage to gain a lot, at least they managed to get equal services but on different lines. They adopted the policy as different as fingers but as one as a hand. This means that although they might seem different and distinct, both blacks and whites were still human beings under the same conditions. They wanted to disapprove the myth which had been held that the whites were superior in everything ranging from their ideas, their culture and religion and hence were not supposed to interact with the blacks.

Owners of the industries during this industrial revolution were faced with the same problems (Larson & Erick, 2004). They faced the same problems which were a loss of their property in case a danger such as fire or theft occurred. This common problem between all owners of the industries brought them together to start insurance for their factories. This was to compensate for any loss in case it occurred. This was unity of necessity of which they did not have a choice, and they had to pull together for a common goal.

The cruelty of the whites in the industries triggered violence (History 40B wk. 9 lecture 2). The black Americans had organized themselves into groups. When they were threatened, they would result into riots that would because deaths and damage to property. These riots would result from a definite reason for which to because opposition for a while, on the other hand, it would also be triggered by rumors. Rumors played a great role in violence especially if the whites got a message that the blacks were planning something malicious; they would because tension. Due to this, blacks came together in order to fight for their rights while the whites had their own group for easier coordination and to tackle any rumor before the blacks could do any harm.

Works Cited

Plessy vs. Ferguson case, (1896). Separate but Equal Accommodation

Jim Claw laws (1876), Segregation in public facilities

Atlanta Exposition Speech (1895).As separate as fingers, yet one as a hand.

Morril Act. (1862)

History 40B wk. 9 LEC 2. Lecture. US: CRISIS & EXPAN. Political Crisis of 1850s: Political

division. History 40B LEC A, HIB 100, Feb 2014

History 40B wk 9 LEC 2. Lecture. US: CRISIS & EXPAN. Political Crisis of 1850s: Political

division. History 40B LEC A, HIB 100, Feb 2014

Larson, Erick. The devil in the white city. New York, NY: Vintage Books, 2004. Print

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