Industrialization In The United States During The Late 19th Century

Chapter 16 Week 3
1. Discuss the major factors that promoted the development of industrialization in the United States during the late nineteenth century. New power sources facilitated American industry’s shift to mass production and also suggest the importance of new ways of organizing research and innovation. In 1869, about half the industrial power came from water.
2. Discuss the development of the railroad business during the last half of the 19th century in the United States and explain how the railroad companies manifested the structure and problems of American corporations during that period- Unlike small businesses, railroads’ high costs and heavy indebtedness encouraged aggressive business practices that could contribute to instability.
Slashing workers’ wages was one tactic that often led to powerful worker unrest. Rivalry between railroads lowered freight rates steadily, they might result in bankruptcy.
3.
Discuss the characteristics of the American population in the late 19th century and analyze the nature of immigration into the country during that period- The industrialization of the late nineteenth century represented the second stage of the great transformation. The transformation of the economy was neither smooth nor steady. Two depressions, from 1873 to 1879 and from 1893 to 1897, surpassed the severity of pre–Civil War downturns. Collapsing land values, unsound banking practices, and changes in the money supply affected the people greatly.
4. Assume you were a member of a working-class American family residing in a major industrial city during the late 19th century. Describe the conditions under which your family would be probably have lived- Since I am an Black American, my living conditions during the 19th century wouldn’t have been that great. By this time, Blacks were still trying to function in society with their newfound freedom. Black businesses were just starting to grow, but many were still extremely
poor.
5. Suppose you were typical industrial worker in the United States during the late 19th century. Describe the conditions under which you would be probably be working- As an industrial worker my work life would have been stressful. There was 2 Great Depressions, and the labor laws back then were not exactly fair. I would have been hurt a lot, and most likely worked in a factory since I am a woman. I wouldn’t have been paid much either. In a nutshell I would have been overworked and underpaid.
6. In the years from 1865 to 1900, American middle-class women gained new opportunities. Discuss and provide examples and comparisons to todays so called “glass ceilings”- Urbanization happened during this period, and middle and upper-class women usually did not work because it was unacceptable. Teaching and nursing were among few acceptable vocations. The women who worked the most were those of working class or poor. Society back then was still ruled by men and women’s rights weren’t exercised. Nowadays, its not common to see much women being stay at home wives. Many women these days prefer to work and earn a living just as well as the men do.