Industrializing America

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Industrialization in America
Willie Baker
American InterContinental University

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Abstract

This paper will describe two developments of Industrialization that positively affected American lives or the United States in general and will describe two developments of Industrialization that negatively affected American lives or the United States in general. This paper concludes with whether or not Industrialization was generally beneficial or detrimental to the lives of Americans and the history of the United States.

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Industrialization in America

The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain and spread to the United States during the 1800’s. This revolution would bring about many changes to the U.S. In general most of these changes would be good and eventually make the U.S. the most powerful nation in the world. It would also produce some of the wealthiest people in the world and raise the standard of living for almost half or at least half of the population of America. One of the developments of Industrialization that positively affected American lives was the ability of industry to produce goods at a cheaper price, as a result of new technologies being invented to make increased production possible. This would in turn allow workers to earn wages that would improve their standard of living. They were able to buy more goods and services that would improve their lifestyles. People who normally worked on farms moved to cities to work in factories, which changed their way of life to a more modern way of living, giving them access to music, sports and other types of entertainment (Career Education Corporation [CEC], 2010). Another development of Industrialization in America that positively affected the United States in general was the building of roads that took direct routes between two points, instead of taking longer routes to avoid obstructions. With the invention of new technologies, construction of these roads and routes were made possible. This would help the economic growth of America
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and set the stage for the next development in Transportation for the future, goods were now able to be shipped and sold at long distances in a shorter period of time (Wyatt, 2009, p. 89-90). Throughout history all advances in civilization comes with a price, along with the positive effects were negative effects to the lives and the country. One negative effect of Industrialization on American lives was the threat of injury in the workplace. Workers were forced to work long hours without breaks, women and children were used to work difficult jobs that led to severe injuries and disfigurements (Hazelton, n. d.). Women and children were exploited because of the rise of business monopolies that drove down wages and forced workers to work longer hours, which led to many labor disputes and unions to be organized (CEC, 2010). Then the most forgotten about negative effect at the time to Americans lives and the country in general of Industrialization was the concept of pollution. Mills dumped pollutants into the air and into waterways that had an effect on the atmosphere as well as human health. Also these production processes consumed large quantities of lumber by the cutting of trees (Hazelton, n. d.). In conclusion Industrialization was generally beneficial to the lives and history of the United States because of the inventions and technological advances, people could house and clothes themselves, survive harsh winters due to heating systems to stay warm, as well as proper garments. Technological Advances allowed people to better take care of themselves by the use of basic hygiene, sanitary food storage and refrigeration. People are healthier, live longer and the population grew (About Population Growth, n. d.). If not for Industrialization America would not
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be the Superpower that it is today. All of the Advancements in technology that enable the building of cars, roads, ships, trains, buildings, jets, airplanes, battleships, guns and other machines are all part of America’s History and owe its beginning to the Industrial Revolution or Industrialization.

References

About Population Growth Causes & Problems: Theories/Speculation. (n.d.), eHow.com. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/print/about_4569164_population-growth-causes-problems.html Career Education Corporation. (2010), The Industrial Revolution [Multimedia]. Retrieved from https://mycampus.aiu-onlins/courses/HIST105/u1/hub1/hub.html Hazelton, S. (n. d.), eHow Contributor, Negative Impacts of the Industrialization & Urbanization in America: Environmental Damage, Dangerous Working Environments. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/print/info_8754551_negative-impacts-industrialization-urbanizatio... Wyatt, L. (2009), Greenwood Guides to Historic Events, 1500-1900: The Industrial Revolution in America. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Retrieved from
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References: About Population Growth Causes & Problems: Theories/Speculation. (n.d.), eHow.com. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/print/about_4569164_population-growth-causes-problems.html Career Education Corporation. (2010), The Industrial Revolution [Multimedia]. Retrieved from https://mycampus.aiu-onlins/courses/HIST105/u1/hub1/hub.html Hazelton, S. (n. d.), eHow Contributor, Negative Impacts of the Industrialization & Urbanization in America: Environmental Damage, Dangerous Working Environments. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/print/info_8754551_negative-impacts-industrialization-urbanizatio... Wyatt, L. (2009), Greenwood Guides to Historic Events, 1500-1900: The Industrial Revolution in America. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. Retrieved from http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.cecybrary.com/ps/retrieved.do?