The
Industrial Revolution began in Western Europe and eventually spread
across much of the world. It transformed humanity's age-old struggle
with material scarcity by using capital, technology, resources, and
management to expand the production of goods and services dramatically. In
the United States, the period between the Civil War and the end of
the nineteenth century was one of tremendous industrial and commercial
expansion. Americans have long had faith in the idea of progress,
and many people viewed this dramatic economic growth as evidence of
the superiority of the American system.
But
while increased production did improve the American standard of
living, industrialization concentrated great wealth and power in
the hands of a few captains of industry. For the thousands of
Americans who actually worked in the new factories, however, this
economic revolution often meant long hours, low wages, and
dangerous working conditions. As economic growth increasingly
touched every aspect of American society, then, it created both new
opportunities and new social problems.
Rural Americans
Move to the Cities: explore the world of the rural men and women who
moved to the cities in search of a better life. (pdf
format)
Progress and
Poverty in Industrial America:
explore the impact of an economic revolution on rich and
poor Americans. (pdf
format)
Re-Defining
the Role of Women in Industrial America: explore the ways social and
economic progress impacted the role of women. (pdf
format)
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