Industrialization after the Civil War
Industrialization after the Civil War
Part 1
Industrialization after the Civil War had both positive and negative effects on the U.S society, economy, and politics. Like in other countries that had experienced it, industrialization improved transport through the introduction of the railroad. Goods and people could now move from one place to another faster. Business communication was enhanced by the invention of the telephone. Business deals could now be discussed and closed faster using the telephone. Laws that targeted African Americans unfairly were adopted and were collectively termed as Jim Crow laws. These laws sought to subject African Americans to treatment similar to the one they received before emancipation. Immigration was illegalized for people from certain ethnic backgrounds (Princeton Review, 2003). In the same period, women earned the right to vote.
The Ku Klux Klan was an example of an organization that perpetrated violence in the country during this period. The White League is another example of an organization that targeted African Americans. Industrialization also increased the rate of urbanization in the country. Skyscrapers rose, and so did the population of the cities across the country (Princeton Review, 2003). In regards to the economy, the gross net product of the country rose. A need arose for workers to be protected from unfair treatment by their employers. Industrial combinations were a signature event during industrialization after the Civil War. These developments led to the emergence of labor unions.
Part 2: Outline
Technological innovation
The Transcontinental Railroad was built in 1869 finally connecting the country by rail and consequently easing travel (Princeton Review, 2003)
The telephone was invented in 1876 leading to better business communication
Urbanization
Cities increased in population size and their geographical scope
Municipal and state regulatory authority emerged as a necessity due to sanitation, planning and housing issues (Princeton Review, 2003)
Immigration
Immigrants became a significant portion of the labor force (Princeton Review, 2003)
Specific groups affected by industrialization
African Americans
The Ku Klux Klan perpetrated violence against African American leaders (Princeton Review, 2003)
The White League sought to deny African Americans the right to vote or organize politically
Immigrants
The Chinese Exclusion Act was passed in 1882 becoming the first in a series of similar legislative measures taken by the U.S government to restrict immigration of certain nationals and ethnic groups (Princeton Review, 2003)
Some states passed laws that barred immigrant workers from holding jobs, while another levied a state tax on them
Children
Children were recruited into working for factories because they were easily manageable and thought of as workers who could not strike (Princeton Review, 2003)
Child labor denied many children the right to education
Rich
The rich accumulated wealth through investment in capital, bonds and stock
The earnings of the rich kept increasing and this enhanced inequality in the country (Princeton Review, 2003)
Women
Women in the country were not allowed to vote until towards the end of the period when the 19th Amendment was passed in 1920 (Princeton Review, 2003)
Muller v. Oregon was an important court case that upheld a law that limited the number of hours that women had to work
Ways that industrialization affected the life of the average working American during this period
Average working American was made to work for excessive hours (Princeton Review, 2003)
This American worked in poor conditions
Employers paid the average working American low wages
Workers lived in congested and poor sanitary conditions
Employers incited workers to fight each other along ethnic lines
Reference
Princeton Review. (2003). Roadmap to the Regents. New York, NY: Random House.
