The Negative Effects of The Industrialization on The Us Society

During the time period from 1865 to 1900, the United States was emerging as a leading industrial and international power. The nation was rich in raw materials crucial for industrialization, such as copper, oil, and coal. Hundreds of thousands of immigrants from Northern and Western Europe, possessing high levels of literacy and skills, seamlessly integrated into rural American society and contributed significantly to the nation's growth. Moreover, government policies supported and protected large businesses by safeguarding private property, assisting manufacturers with protective tariffs, and subsidizing railroads with land loans and grants. This era, often referred to as the "Second Industrial Revolution," is characterized as the "Gilded Age" due to its rapid economic growth and wealth accumulation, but it also witnessed substantial social conflict involving the working class. Although the U.S. as a whole became a dominant industrial power, industrialization had many adverse consequences. Industrialization left negative impacts on U.S. society during the years 1865 to 1900 due to the formation of labor unions and strikes, political corruption through monopolistic practices, and worsened living conditions for the working class.

Labor Unions and Strikes

Industrialization had negative effects on U.S. society due to the formation of labor unions, strikes, and political parties. Document 6, authored by Samuel Gompers, who founded the American Federation of Labor, highlights the concerns of labor union representatives and critics of industrialists who did not treat workers with respect or justice. Gompers addressed the International Labor Congress in Chicago, drawing attention to the industrial system's abuse of workers and demanding better working conditions. The year 1893 followed closely after the Homestead Strike, when workers asserted their right to make demands by forming unions to advocate for their needs regarding their oppressive working conditions. Due to the hard labor and dangers in their work, workers formed labor unions such as the American Federation of Labor and advocated for higher wages, shorter working hours, and improved working conditions. Document 5 reveals that political organizers, the Populists or the People's Party, attempted to persuade the public to support the Populist Party. The Populists criticized the effects of industrialization and supported the working class. The concentration of economic power in the hands of monopolists and bankers dominated the U.S. economy, prompting farmers to form their own political party. In 1890, agrarian discontent in the South and West led to Republican setbacks in the 1892 elections, and delegates from states in the South and West met in Omaha, Nebraska, to nominate candidates for the new Populist party. Their platform promised that if people supported the party, they would work to expand the government to meet the people's needs and address injustices. Document 2, authored by David A. Wells, an engineer and economist, warns the public that industrialization is a threat to workers, highlighting that manufacturing in factories has eroded individualism, independence, and workers' pride in their work by assigning them to perform only one specific job. In large manufacturing factories, industrial mechanization replaced skilled workers with unskilled laborers, leading to unrest among workers. This was one of the factors that contributed to industrial unrest and strikes. Thus, industrialization in manufacturing factories negatively affected many workers by diminishing their independence and leading to the formation of labor unions. Documents 6, 5, and 2 conclude that during industrialization, large factories and corporations caused industrial unrest and poor working conditions for workers, resulting in the formation of labor unions, strikes, and political parties. These developments were detrimental to society as they led to numerous deaths and violence. For example, the Knights of Labor, the first National Labor Organization, was established in 1869 in Philadelphia under Uriah S. Stephens. By the time Terence Powderly assumed leadership, its membership had risen to 700,000. They sought to protect workers from retaliation and advocated for an eight-hour workday, the abolition of child labor, better working conditions, and higher wages. Their strike at Haymarket Square resulted in a bomb that killed several policemen, and another strike against the McCormick Harvester Company also led to fatalities.

Political Corruption and Monopolistic Practices

Another way industrialization negatively impacted the U.S. economy was through political corruption caused by monopolistic practices. Document 3, created by Joseph Keppler, illustrates to the general public that industrial trusts were dominating trade and wielding more power than Senators. During this period (1889), Senators were appointed by party bosses, who were often under the control of monopolists. Keppler is critical and concerned about the influence of industrialists having so much control and the fact that numerous trusts are blocking the people's access to the Senate. Business interests introduced political corruption during the Gilded Age by allowing industrial trusts to dominate the government. Document 7 features George Rice, who speaks in the voice of the common man and a failed businessman driven out by Rockefeller's Standard Oil. He warns other businesses of Rockefeller's colossal corporation, accusing him of charging discriminatory rates and privileges. By 1897, trusts frequently employed colossal combinations to stifle competition from other businesses by underselling to gain monopolies. This resulted in unfair competition between small and large businesses, causing large corporations during industrialization to have negative effects on small businesses. Document 4 presents Andrew Carnegie, a very wealthy man who owned a monopoly in the steel industry with Carnegie Steel, which produced more steel than all the mills in Britain. Carnegie attempts to persuade wealthy industrialists that the rich have a duty to philanthropy and "should produce the most beneficial results for the community." He argues that it is the duty of the rich to share their wealth for the public good and that the rich should set an example for the poor with their extravagance. Although he maintained a viewpoint that industrialization had a positive impact on U.S. society, he was the target of many workers in unions because he paid them low wages, refused to address their needs, and did not provide safe working conditions. Documents 3, 7, and 4 demonstrate how problems and debates about industrialization arose due to monopolistic practices. Industrialization led to a sharp increase in the gap between the rich and the poor, with large corporations, run by the wealthy, causing negative effects by sparking problems and debates.

Worsened Conditions for the Working Class

A third way industrialization negatively affected U.S. society is seen in the worsened conditions for the working class, who were the backbone of the U.S. economy and constituted 85% of the population. Document 1 shows historical statistics of the United States indicating that food, fuel, and lighting prices declined significantly from 1870 to 1899, while the cost of living expenses remained relatively constant. By lowering food, fuel, and lighting prices, it worsened living conditions for farmers and laborers because their wages decreased while businesses and large corporations continued to thrive. As wages were reduced, the prices of crops also dropped, heavily impacting farmers. Consequently, industrialization negatively affected the living conditions of the working class by making it challenging for them to afford necessities due to their limited income.

References

• Gompers, S. (1893). Address to the International Labor Congress. Chicago.
• Wells, D. A. (1893). The Impact of Industrialization on Workers.
• Keppler, J. (1889). Cartoon on Industrial Trusts and Political Influence.
• Rice, G. (1897). Testimony on Rockefeller's Standard Oil Practices.
• Carnegie, A. (1890). The Gospel of Wealth.