How the Industrial Revolution, post 1865, influenced migration and expanded civilization - Research Paper Example

? How the Industrial Revolution, post 1865, influenced migration and expanded civilization Introduction The period in the history of the US from 1865is marked by technology based industrial growth which is called as a Second Industrial Revolution. This was spearheaded by “the architects of the Second Industrial Revolution, such as Andrew Carnegie, John D. Rockefeller, Cyrus McCormick, J. P. Morgan, and E. H. Harriman, who redesigned the productive system. The first Industrial Revolution occurred in late eighteenth-century England, depended on coal, and remained dependent on the old craft system in many respects. The Second Industrial Revolution emerged from new technology produced by inventors such as Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Edison” (Cambridge University). In this second industrial revolution, discovery and invention, acting as the catalysts played a major role in industrial and economic growth of the nation. These developments coupled with the developments in transportation and communications were responsible for the formation of organized industries with the emergence of big business empires in various industrial sectors such as steel and oil. Consequently the markets grew deep and wide for catering to the needs of the suppliers and consumers. These developments resulted into migration of people from different parts of the country to the urban industrial centers and different parts of the world to the US with the urban growth taking place at a rapid pace. These migrations were responsible for the diverse cultural background in the society. Industrial development The growth of industries was very fast during this period. The consumption of steel is an indicator for industrial development. The consumption of steel in the industrial and construction sector increased during this period and fuelled the growth of steel industry. The mass production of steel through innovative methods introduced by Carnegie made it cheaper and the demand for steel increased exponentially. This has accelerated construction of railroads across the country which stimulated the growth of business and industries by rendering mobility to the goods manufactured for reaching the customers throughout the country. Similarly, the growth of oil industry has changed the way the people were living in the US as its consumption was closely linked to general industrial growth, transportation and social life. Invention of telephone and telegraph aided industrial and economic growth further. “…the most dramatic improvement in the speed, breadth and reliability of news coverage came with Samuel Morse's invention of the telegraph. Newspapers became the major customers of the telegraph companies, and the cost of telegraph transmissions led to the formation of wire services like the Associated Press, which was founded as a cooperative venture by New York newspapers in 1848” (Stephens). Freedoms to press, free market economy and the capitalist system of the country encouraged entrepreneurship, and it attracted people from all over the world to the US. The opportunities available in the industrial centers for employment, profession or education caused migration of people to urban areas. The new techniques used in agriculture have increased productivity. The proportion of people employed in agriculture has come down. The agricultural laborers from rural areas migrated to cities in search of employment. Steckel states, “The importance of migration to urban growth is also indisputable. Because birth rates were low but death rates were high, migration fueled urban growth during the 19th century. Indeed, many cities and towns would have declined in size without an inflow of people that replaced the excess of deaths over births” (p. 1). Capital formation and emergence of corporate companies Referring to New York Stock Exchange, Teweles & Bradley says, “The vast development of the railroads was particularly important to the Exchange since those corporations were the chief issuers of securities in the trading market. About 70,000 miles of lines had been completed by 1873; their outstanding stocks and bonds totaled $3,780 million” (116). The family owned business could not cope up with the capital needs to keep pace with the industrial development. The big industries such as oil refineries or railroads are capital intensive and huge amount of capital was required. Emergence of stock markets paved way for capital formation on a faster basis. According to the website of the company, United Steels “When founded in 1901, United States Steel Corporation was the largest business enterprise ever launched, with an authorized capitalization of $1.4 billion.” Migration of labor Hirschman &  Mogford states, “Within the span of a few decades from the late 19th to the early 20th century, the United States was transformed from a predominately rural agrarian society to an industrial economy centered in large metropolitan cities. Prior to the American industrial revolution, most Americans were reared in largely isolated agricultural households and small towns that were linked to the external world by horse drawn wagons…” The big corporate companies with vertical integration of operations, various ancillary industries and smaller workshops combined together employed huge work force, attracting skilled and semi-skilled workers for their operations. This trend led to exodus of agricultural laborers from rural areas to the industrial and business centers located in urban areas. In order to cater to the needs of the growing demand for skilled employees, various educational institutions were started in the urban areas and people from rural areas had to migrate to the cities for the educational purpose as well. The reach of telephones and automobiles created awareness among the public as to the opportunities available in the urban areas. The development of national highways gave push to the increasing use of automobiles by the public. The mass production system made the manufactured products cheaper, and rail and road network had been useful in marketing these products. Therefore, new settlements in along these transport networks sprang up due to convenience in movement of materials and people. All these factors contributed to the increased migration level from the rural areas to urban areas. Another important underlying reason for migration is non-availability of infrastructural facilities in rural areas, especially in those days. Once the people are used to urban life with several attractive features such as restaurants, clubs and other entertainment facilities, the people migrated temporarily for so many reasons tend to stay forever in urban areas. The use of electricity in day to day life for various purposes and its availability in urban centers was also an important factor in this respect. Immigration When the pace of the industrial development was very fast and the demands of the local working force increased, the industrialists preferred to hire immigrants. Since the income and standard of living in the US was better compared to the economic situation prevailing in their own countries they were prepared to work hard at lower wages. The migration of people from different countries with different social backgrounds made the American society cosmopolitan in nature. People from various European and Asian countries had different religious background. The immigration policy adopted by the US had been very liberal and there are hundreds of languages spoken in the country. The immigrants were settled in urban areas like the migrants from the rural areas. The immigrants in some cases formed their own associations and lived together in a particular area. However, on account of employment, education or climatic conditions they later migrated to different places and lived among others. The naturalization process had not been difficult in a free society with freedom and equal opportunities for all. Expanded civilization The industrial revolution had a tremendous impact on the life of the people and their socio-economic conditions. It brought creativity and innovation into the culture of the Americcan people. The economic growth was accompanied with increase in population of the middle class families in the country, comprising people from different walks of life. The women’s participation in the social life increased considerably. However, the life of the economically weaker sections of the society in general was not good and the slums mushroomed around industrial areas. “Sociologists and ethnographers last century classified existing pre-industrial society in a hierarchy of three evolutionary stages, dominated respectively savagery, barbarism and civilization” (Childe 3). The interaction of various cultures in the market place, social functions or offices and in living together in the colonies enhanced the level of behavior of the people with respect for each other’s cultural background and heritage. The role of press in dissemination of information was very important in shaping up the thinking of the people. The integration of various cultures in the society was achieved over a period of time without interfering in each other’s belief and respect for their identity. This acted as the cornerstones for the development of civilization. Certain qualities, traits and expertise unique to a community prior to migration became the assets of the society. The youngsters’ contact with various people with different social and religious backgrounds during their school and college days and the developments in education front made this integration process smoother. These diversified cultures did not give rise to communal issues or discrimination on the basis of creed or color. Most of the cultures were able to integrate themselves successfully into the society without losing their identity and heritage or cultural traditions. It is reflected in the successful functioning of democracy in the country, and this is the basic strength of the country. References Charles, Hirschman & Elizabeth, Mogford. “Immigration and the American Industrial Revolution From 1880 to 1920.” National Center for Biotechnology Information,  2009. 13 November 2012 Mitchell, Stephens. “History of Newspapers.” Collier's Encyclopedia. 13 November 2012. Read More