Impact of Industrial Revolution on American Society - Essay Example

It is only after the Second Industrial Revolution (1870-1914) that a spurt in the development has occurred, resulting in rapid rise of industrial growth. Macro inventions which explored and discovered path breaking innovations in energy, materials, chemicals and medicine slowed down after 1825 which gave an impetus to advancement in research and the quest for acquiring new knowledge and technologies. This, in turn, has given rise to “micro inventions” (Mokyr, p.1) assisting the acceleration of production capabilities and infrastructure to sustain the industrial growth’.

Thus, the society and lifestyles have undergone a sea change and humans became prosperous. This brought in luxuries and a lot of leisure that resulted in various developments in the world, and America in particular, in terms of economical prosperity, intellectual growth and cultural diversification. Modernization has thus become a powerhouse, dictating the world order. Several factors contributed to this newfound economical, intellectual and cultural upliftment. The first and foremost reason for any change or revolution to take shape is the idea which is nurtured by the intellectuals and thinkers who then analytically put forth their views.

These slowly percolated and got assimilated into people’s mind. . To him it said “Your diamonds are not in faraway mountains or in distant seas; they are in your own backyard if you will but dig for” (Conwell, p.7) the Prof. Joseph Carter, author of the Acres of Diamonds. Thus, the lecture caught the imagination of the American masses, making their belief strong in finding opportunities and avenues for self development and putting in hard efforts to tap the resources at their disposal. Another great work which swayed the minds of American masses was the poem, The New Colossos, by Emma Lazarus.

The fourteen line poem was an ode written by Lazarus to the Statue of Liberty, which was engraved on the entrance door and the famous line ‘Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” (Emma Lazarus, The New Colossus, para.1) was enshrined for immortality on the pedestal of the statue. The poem became a beacon of welcome and the statue became an icon of paragon for thousands of immigrants coming from Europe and rest of the world. Besides, it became a sign of hope and opportunity in the new world.

Another great inspirational work was by Andrew Carnegie known as the Gospel of Wealth. He was a poor Scottish migrant turned millionaire who became the symbol for social mobility, which also was known as ‘The American Dream’ The profits from his steel empire called the ‘ Carnegie Steel Corp.’ made him one of the wealthiest and influential men in American history. Also, he was a great philanthropist who donated more then $350 million to build public libraries and universities. In his essay, the Gospel of Wealth, Carnegie deals in depth with the wealthy and the responsibilities that come with it.

On the other hand, how he symbolized the poor and why charity