Second Industrial Revolution In America

Sometime around 1870, a major change in America, as well as all over the world, took place. The people of the nation saw the introduction of many new inventions, ideas, and changes in the way they thought about many aspects of their lives. This movement, called the Second Industrial Revolution, or sometimes the Technological Revolution, ushered in a new era, reshaping the country in many ways. This revolution started with new advancements within the steel, iron, and railroad industries. New advancements in these areas helped the railroads expand, and in turn, many parts of the nation followed suit, from production of simple goods such as paper, to more advanced technologies, including the electric chair. This revolution was widespread, and

During this time, factories became more modernized and streamlined with the introduction of many new ideas. Factories became more mechanized, decreasing the need for skilled laborers, and increasing the need for more skilled engineers and other types management positions. This led to an expansion in the need for engineering colleges. All of these changes and advancements meant there was a huge increase in the amount of manufacturing each factory could manage. Small workshops became large mills, many business expanded, and the middle class grew along with the working class. Between the years of 1870 and 1913, the percentage of the world’s manufacturing production that the United States held skyrocketed 12.5%, to 35.8% (Document D). This table shows just how quickly the nation’s economy was able to grow in such a short period of time with the help of a more modern and industrialized economy. During this time, the nation also saw the emergence of Social Darwinism, the idea that only the “fittest” businesses would survive, while those not cut out for participation in such a rapidly growing economy would ultimately flounder and fail. These are just a few of the ways in which the Second Industrial Revolution helped reshape the nation economically. Andrew Carnegie also released the Gospel of Wealth, an article he wrote in 1889 showcasing his ideas about the differences in the

As people desired to improve themselves through hard work and in other ways, the general standard of living improved around the nation. New ideas about health, patriotism, and many other cultural changes in people’s daily lives came about during the revolution. During this time, child labor was a rapidly growing aspect of many factories, because their mothers were entering the workforce in growing numbers. In Document L, one can see evidence that children as young as 1 year old would accompany their mothers to the factories and help, earning a wage, and contributing to their families. These children would sometimes be woken up at 3am, and would work for 13 hours. This change in the culture of the nation shows how important it may have been for all members of a family to contribute financially. Labor unions also started to grow as laborers began to demand better pay and working conditions. These unions fought for worker’s rights, and during the revolution, strikes were an extremely common occurrence, with over 10,000 recorded strikes occurring in the 1880’s, alone. In Document K, The Workers Anvil, one can see a song that was used to keep morale up during strikes. Songs like these were often used by union leaders to help organize and support those they represented. Other cultural changes were seen in how people spent their money. Department stores, amusement parks, and