History IP3

Industrial Revolution

HIST105-IP3

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Industrial in United States

Prior to industrialization, agriculture was the main industry in the United States. It was not until the mid 18th century that mechanical processes began to appear in Western society and by the 19th Century the Industrial Revolution was in full swing. Prior to the Industrial Revolution everything that was made was made by hand and any machines were used individually in a business not as a manufacturing process. After the development of Industrialization the way goods were produced changed simplifying and improving the ability of all types of industries to produce their goods. Thanks to industrialization America developed into a modern and innovative society.

Positive Development due to Industrialization

Industrialization forever changed the United States and European countries. The first positive contribution made that positively affected America society was the manufacturing process. Known as the American system of manufacturing, this new system of production began to appear in different cities in America. In the United States, the first factory system appeared in Waltham and Lowell in the 1810s and 1820s in the textile industry (Backer, 2009). The new factory model consisted of a manufacturer process that was power-driven by machinery that changed different aspects of society including labor, specialization, and manufacturing.

The Industrial Revolution forever changed how people worked. They no longer had to work a piece of machinery on their own and create all parts of a product. After the development of the factory process this all changed. Due to manufacturing and the development of the assembly line process businesses were able to produce mass amounts of good. This reduced the cost of production and allowed businesses to mechanize and standardize there manufacturing processes. Americas manufacturing process, the assembly line, was copied by industrial business across the globe and due to their ability to simplify labor became a leader in the production of goods shipped all over the world.

Businessmen, like Henry Ford, were able to produce mass good and become the industrial leaders for the United States and the world. Using the assembly line, Ford was able to produce the first vehicle that could be afforded by the average person through the use of standardized parts and an assembly line. The assembly line was the reason America was able to win the First and Second World Wars and it also resulted in a new approach to labor. For the first time workers came to work and worked 8 hour shifts of production. This help to standardize labor processes.

The second positive contribution made that positively affected America society the harnessing of power. Prior to the Industrial Revolution citizens in America relied on candles for power. Even though power was discovered before industrialization only a select few had access. During industrialization this forever changed. First was the discovery of hydroelectric power sources which allowed for a large area to be powered from this source. Dams and reservoirs provide hydroelectric power. The ability to mass produce goods allowed for the production of electric polls and the wire needed to string power lines resulted in the country slowly becoming fueled by electricity.

Nice electricity could be produced to citizens the United States quickly began to develop and become more modernized cities began to pop up all over the country strengthening the economy. Electricity improved communication capabilities, powered lights in homes and businesses, powered electric motors, and eventually led to every city being powered by electricity (). Electricity allowed for the development of new technologies which would eventually lead to the current Information Age.

Negative Development due to Industrialization

The Industrial Revolution provided many benefit to America society and to societies across the globe but it also created some challenges. The first negative development as the result of Industrialization involves war and the capabilities developed by many countries. Before Industrialization it was difficult to declare war against America because it is so far from any other nation and it would take a long time and a great deal of resources to use ships to attack America.

It was not until industrialization and the development of the manufacturing of small planes and bombs that America was first attacked by an enemy with the exception of the American Revolution. America was attacked by the Japanese at Pear Harbor in the 1940’s through the use of small planes that the Japanese would refuel at a small island in between America and Japan. America able mass produce weapons needed to win the war and eventually defeat the Japanese and the Germans but not before thousands of servicemen and Americans lost their lives.

The second negative development is the development of weapons of mass destruction. America ended the war with Japan with an atomic bomb and soon developed nuclear weapons that could potentially wipe out an entire country (McLamb, 2011). In current society countries large and small have access to nuclear weapons which could potentially threaten America and American citizens. Nuclear weapons are closely monitored but in the hands of terrorists could result in major damage to people and property. Despite major technological developments nuclear weapons continue to be the biggest threat to global society.

Industrial Revolution Beneficial or Detrimental

The Industrial Revolution brought more benefits than hardships to American society. New modern inventions improved the lives of every American and the country became better equipped to fight off any enemies (Lienhard, 1997). Industrialization has first forever changed American society by allowing citizen’s access to products once not attainable to the masses. The new manufacturing process and the assembly line forever changed how goods were produced and how labor was distributed and managed. Manufactured parts became standardized allowing for fewer mistakes and the creation of the same exact product.

Without industrialization all industries in society would continue to function only in the geographical area where they were located and transported methods would be limited. Industrialization nationalized America or made it one great nation just like technology is creating a new global society. Through industrialization the way employees were managed forever changed and while citizens fought hard for employee rights it eventually led to employee rights and regulated labor and benefits.

Some challenges have also surfaced, such as global warming and the threat of nuclear weapons, but over all industrialization has changed American society for the good. Society has become more modern and many processes in life have been improved and simplified. Women have new machines to assist in the housework. Medicine has improved and live once lost are saved, and all citizens have access to electricity. Industrialization has resulted in better constructed goods and more effective manufacturing methods in society but has also led to newer and greater technological innovations that have improved every aspect of society.

References

Backer, P. (2009). Industrialization of American Society. Retrieved February 28, 2014 from

http://www.engr.sjsu.edu/pabacker/industrial.htm

Lienhard, J. (1997). American Industrial Revolution. Retrieved February 28, 2014 from

http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi181.htm

McLamb, E. (2011). The Ecological Impact of the Industrial Revolution. Retrieved February 28,

2014 from http://www.ecology.com/2011/09/18/ecological-impact-industrial-revolution/