Industrialization of the 19th Century

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Industrialization of the 19th Century

The growth of industry in the 19th century affected Americans in various ways. Cities grew and developed rapidly, women began to work outside of their homes and farmers felt the impact as rural living developed. Each aspect of American society felt the change in either a positive or negative way. Our country was changing because of industrialization.

Women's roles in society greatly changed after the growth of industry. Women who once were mere housewives and caring mothers now became an active part of the working class. They no longer stayed at home during the day taking care of their husband and children seeing to it that they acted properly and had high moral values instead. Wealthy women were privileged few who were able to stay at home and devote themselves totally to their families.

Working women took jobs for various reasons. Some worked to help financially while others took jobs out of desire for a larger role in society. Women's roles in society changed, and so did their households. Some negative effects took place as a result of women working. Family members were under more stress because of the absence of the main caregiver during working hours. Children who once had their mother at home taking care of them were now being cared for by relatives or neighbors. Working women also had added pressures. Not only did they work out of their homes, but after work, they were expected to fulfill their household duties when they got home.

Women worked mainly in the garment industry. Their working conditions were less than desirable and they worked for lower wages and long hours. Women formed the Industrial Ladies Garment Workers Union to represent laborers in sweatshops. They event...

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...telegraphs and telephones. Farmers also wanted "free silver" to help pay off their debts.

After the election of McKinley, the Populist Party vanished. The economy also changed to an industrial economy. The majority of U.S. population was now in the cities instead of the farm areas.

Farmers experienced both positive and negative effects of industrialization. The main thing that resulted from the growth was a new culture in America in which the majority of people benefited from.

Industrialization in the 19th century changed our nation. We became a modern, faster paced society with modern technologies. Women joined the work force and helped develop our nation. Cities grew and developed, leading to advanced transportation and high rise skyscrapers. Even farmers began to feel the improvement of the nation's economy. Industrialization had spread across the USA.

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