Industrialization Transformed American Life In The Late 19th Century Case Study

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1. Industrialization transformed American life in the late 19th century as nothing had before. What was the overall character of this industrial change? Focusing on the careers and companies of Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller, discuss how big business emerged and altered the old republic of small businesses and small farmers. To what degree was this a revolution and the creation of a new economic order in the United States? How did workers and government respond? What was life like in the age of the new industrial city? The Industrial Revolution in the 19th Century had a large impact on life in America. From the change in the nature of labor, the transformation from small, artisan business to large manufacturing enterprise, and the …show more content…

This change increased the production capacity of industry and made more finished goods available on a national and global scale. The new nationwide network of railways provided for the transport of raw materials to industrial sites and the subsequent distribution of finished goods throughout the nation. Inventors and innovators developed new products, while business mass-produced large quantities of these products. Bankers and investors accumulated large sums of money in order for these businesses to have the financial capabilities to expand their business. Immigrants flocked to America to participate in the American dream of a good life. When all these factors are considered, it is clear to see the overarching theme of industrialization was the creation and supply of consumer demands at a sustainable …show more content…

Rockefeller (1839-1937): As the founder of the Standard Oil Company and related subsidiaries, John D. Rockefeller became one of the world’s wealthiest men. As one of the Captains of Industry, Rockefeller was one of the primary movers of the trend to bigness for its own sake and as a competitive edge to great profits during the industrialization of America. He exemplified the evolution of character in this age, transforming from a fierce, accumulative competitor to a significant philanthropist later in life. The Knights of Labor: Beginning as a secret society of tailors in 1869, the Knights of Labor grew into a trade group with over 700,000 members in 1886. The group evolved into a public organization dedicated to seeking 8-hour workdays, eliminating child labor, and ensuring equal pay for equal work. This is significant because during this time, labor pay was plummeting with the efficiency of machine provided by the industrialized mechanization, and treatment of workers was often harsh and arbitrary. The organization lost popularity for its supposed role in the May 4, 1886 Haymarket Square Massacre, turning a protest into a violent clash with police after a bomb was thrown at police, and was further depleted as its lack of effectiveness was evident during the Panic of

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