Student Question
What factors led to the US becoming a mature industrial society after the Civil War according to Give Me Liberty! chapter 16?
Quick answer:
The US became a mature industrial society after the Civil War due to increased manufacturing, railroad expansion, westward migration, and technological advancements like the telegraph and electric power. This industrial growth created new markets and facilitated the transport of goods. However, it also led to worker exploitation and unsafe conditions, prompting reformers to raise awareness and lobby for protective legislation. These changes collectively transformed the US economy and society.
According to Eric Foner in Give Me Liberty!, the United States grew into a mature industrial society due to a rise in manufacturing, the growth of railroads, westward expansion, and the development of technology. The growth of industry, however, led to problems that were tacked by reformers through political lobbying, raising awareness, and direct aid campaigns. Let's look at this in more detail to help you get started on this assignment.
As you write about the growth of the US into an industrial society, you will certainly want to mention the boom in manufacturing in the years following the Civil War. This trend had already begun before the war, but now, it took off in earnest as large numbers of factories produced everything from steel to textiles to food.
These factories needed markets for their products, and the railroads helped with that. You should discuss the expansion of the railroads throughout the country and describe how they opened the way for westward expansion of the population and for the transportation of many different kinds of goods to markets across the country. Other types of technology helped as well. Think about the changes in communication, like the telegraph, and the increasing use of electric power.
With the growth of industrialization, though, came abuses and suffering. Workers especially felt this as they struggled with long hours, low pay, and unsafe working conditions. Reformers worked to make these issues known through public awareness campaigns and to bring about change through political lobbying for new laws that would protect workers and ease hardships. Other reformers worked to bring aid to people in need and to raise the morality of the nation by tackling issues like drinking and prostitution.
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