After the Civil War

Kelvin Glenn

Strayer University

Professor Richard Foster

Contemporary U.S. History

April 26, 2015

Industrialization after the Civil War

Thesis Statement: Industrialization was a mixed blessing—it brought about numerous positive changes and improvements to the American society, but it came with an equally significant number of problems.

Outline

I. Introduction.

II. Three Aspects of the Industrial Revolution

-Social, political and economic aspects.

III. Effects of the Industrial Revolution

· Positive Effects of the Industrial Revolution

-Economy, better lives.

-Rise of technology.

· Negative Effects of the Industrial Revolution.

-Overpopulation and congestion.

-Poor working conditions.

-Pollution.

IV. Conclusion

After the Civil War

After the Civil War, there was an unprecedented industrial growth in the United States. This industrial growth was the culmination of numerous factors and it actually brought about many changes to the American society as a whole. As some historians have put it, the industrial growth after the Civil war was a mixed blessing that brought about numerous positive changes and improvements to the American society, but it came with an equally significant number of problems.

Three Aspects of the Industrial Revolution

Understanding the rise and repercussions that were brought about by industrialization after the Civil war requires an understanding of the society, the economy, and politics aspects of industrialization. This is because, during the industrial revolution, the American economy began to change. Change that was mainly caused by the increase of productivity from the industrial revolution. The American society was another aspect that underwent transition during the Industrial Revolution. One major transition that the American society underwent involved change in American’s way of life, especially in their daily activities. Politics in America also took a turn during the industrial Revolution. Politicians became more focused on their dedication towards their individual businesses interests.

Effects of the Industrial Revolution

After the industrial revolution, many things were never the same again. Some things changed for the better, while others took a turn for the worse. This means that industrialization has both positive and negative effects. The pros of the industrial revolution include the fact that it improved the daily lives of peoples because it brought about increase in the volumes and diversification of the quality and types of products produced. This also meant that ordinary Americans made a better living and had more time on their hands. Most of all, industrialization brought about greater economic benefit for the U.S. and awakened the nation to a new technological dawn of improvements and changes. The industrial revolution also diversified the society’s activities, from a mainly agricultural society to one that was centered on industry and manufacturing.

On the other hand, the undesirable effects of the industrialization included its contribution to pollution increase in the environment and causing unsafe working conditions, as well as unlawful practices such as employment of underage children and making women to work long hours. In addition as a result of the industrial revolution, many people moved to the cities in search of job opportunities, which in turn caused overpopulation and congestion, as well as poor living conditions in the cities.

Conclusion

Industrialization affected many things, from governments, to the people, bringing about negative and positive effects on the American society. Nonetheless, without industrialization, the United States would not have evolved into the major industrial center it is today.

Reference

Rees, J. (2015). Industrialization and the Transformation of American Life: A Brief Introduction. Hoboken: Taylor and Francis.