In Johnathan Rees’s article “Industrialization and Urbanization in the United States,” he explains that “The South had lagged behind the rest of the country since before the Civil War. As a result, many advocates for outside investment in this region expanded their activities after the war. They were somewhat successful.” (Rees, Industrialization and Urbanization in the United States). Over time, America needed a means of communication. This is where Samuel Morse came into play. Morse created a special code that helped modernize communication in the United States and eventually internationally as well.
“The dots and dashes system of telegraph transmission that became known as Morse Code came into being once Morse began his collaboration with Alfred Vail. One of its earliest versions is seen on page 153 in the bottom line titled ‘2d For Letters.’ By 1844, what became known as ‘American Morse’ had emerged, with nearly every letter undergoing some small change.” (Library of Congress) The Bessemer Process was an invention which drastically changed the Industrial Revolution. This process was the first inexpensive process to create steel, which allowed for steel to be used in constructing railroads, buildings, and later vehicles. This allowed us to build taller and more damage-resistant buildings and stronger vehicles to help our transportation in the United States.
Over time, even with our communication and industrial changes around the early 1850s, the South was still struggling to keep up. This would cause some strife during the Civil War. If the economy was able to keep up, then Americans in the South would have been more willing to move forward with the advances that were being made in the industry. This is what led to the first attempt of industrializing the South to fail. Farmers refusing to advance just shows that not all of America was ready or could not keep up with these changes in the economy. This would lead to further social class separation than we can imagine.
Railroads: Uniting Industries and Societies Across America
At this same time, the country was also advancing with the rail systems as the steel industry was taking off. This transportation advancement further took off for the United States to begin having more of a connection to get resources down to the South. The rail maps shown below from the Library of Congress show that America was trying to help out each other for the growth of the economy and the culture. Having a transportation system in place could connect the North’s textile industry and the South’s agriculture industry, working together to keep America supplied with our own resources.
The railroad process was one that took many years but, over time, came together to become the greatest force in modern industry. We still use the rail system to transport steel, coal, and oil all over the United States. According to ushistory.org, “Perhaps the greatest physical feat of 19th century America was the creation of the TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD. Two railroads, the CENTRAL PACIFIC, starting in San Francisco, and a new railroad, the Union Pacific, starting in Omaha, Nebraska, would build the rail line. Huge forces of immigrants, mainly Irish for the UNION PACIFIC and Chinese for the Central Pacific, crossed mountains, dug tunnels, and laid tracks. The two railroads met at PROMONTORY, UTAH, on May 10, 1869, and drove a last, golden spike into the completed railway.” (ushistory.org) Now that all of these railroads were finished and connected, America had a new transportation system.
According to Robert Weir, “By the late 1870s, railroads crisscrossed the nation, bringing farm goods to industrial cities and moving factory products to market. (Weir, Workers in America) Our society was impacted over the course of the American industry changes. We had more of a middle class and lower class. The lower class was used for labor that the middle and upper classes would not do, which caused more complaints and harsh working conditions. A group of “Whigs” passed out fliers standing up for the poor: “Thus much, Sir, for Ourselves we dare to plead, And now, Sir, for our Poor – who stand in need Of lodgings, raiment, food and everything That honest labor should to poor folks bring!” (Whigs, 1836).
Legacy of Struggle: From Tragedy to Hope in the Wake of Industrialization
These harsh working conditions eventually led to the Triangle Factory Fire. This factory building was supposed to be fireproof. With over 600 employees, men, women, and children working there, 141 lost their lives. There was only one fire escape that was in the building, and it had been overcome with flames. Many of the girls jumped to their deaths. (New York Times) Harsh working conditions like this, unfortunately, were more common than we were told. Weir also noted that “Machines made goods faster and cheaper, but they also displaced skilled workers, many of whom formed labor unions to protect their wage rates and privileges.” (Weir, Workers in America) With labor unions being formed, Flyers from the Whigs were being passed out all over, trying to encourage workers to join to protect their rights.
With all the changes that were brought through the Industrial Revolution, America has really advanced forward. Yes, the country has progressed to what is now a thriving country, but our social and economic status has not progressed at all. We are still a struggling country in regards to the wage/labor issue. Hopefully, as time goes on and more history is made, we can overcome these challenges and show great progress to keep up with our technological advances. Time can only tell how far we can go.
References:
- Samuel Slater “Who Made America” (https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/theymadeamerica/whomade/slater_hi.html)
- Letter from anonymous laborers to the gentlemen of Ashill, Norfolk, Date: May 1816. Catalogue reference: HO 42/150, folio 130v-131