Industrial Revolution in the Late Nineteenth Century - Assignment Example

? Social Darwinism Social Darwinism is a theory borrowed by Herbert Spenser (an English social philosopher) from Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. This law, which was developed in the 1870s, provided that “the ‘laws’ of evolution applied to human life, that change or reform therefore took centuries, and that the ‘fittest’ would succeed in business and social relation- ships” (Divine C-17). This theory is important for the American history since it enhanced the principles of individualism and competition, discouraged intervention of government into the affairs of individuals and was the basis upon which reforms were opposed by the powerful members of the social and economic elite. Scope Trial The Scope Trial, which is also referred to as the “monkey trial” took place in 1924 in America. This was a competition between religious fundamentalism and modern liberalism. The expression “scope trial” is derived from John T. Scopes, who was undergoing trials for educating people about the Darwinian evolution, which was not allowed by a certain Tennessee state law. This trial will be historically remembered as a war between religious fundamentalism, on the one hand, and modern science, on the other hand, in regards to creation and evolution controversy (Divine C-16). Open Door Policy The open door policy was a creation of Secretary of State John Hay in 1900. This policy was formed to ensure free trade between China and the United States, though it also tried to sign up major Asian and European nations due to the Chinese territorial integrity. This policy is historically significant because it marked the beginning of the American departure from its traditional isolationism approach to the external world in favor of a rather more involving approach (Divine C-14). Marshall Plan The Marshall Plan is the name given to a massive economic aid program, which was initiated by Secretary of State George Marshall in 1947 with the aim of reconstructing Western European economies that had been devastated by war. This plan was inspired by both the fear that Western Europe would be subjected to communism as a result of the economic interruption, and a humanitarian desire to reconstruct the nations’ economies. This plan, therefore, played a significant historical role because it contained communism in Western Europe (Divine G-10). Gulf of Tonkin Resolution The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution took place in 1964, after an American destroyer in the Gulf of Tonkin was attacked by a North Vietnamese. As a result, President Johnson convinced the Congress to pass a resolution empowering him to attack Vietnam through the armed forces. This resolution was not only used by America as retaliation but also heightened its involvement in the Vietnam War. THE ESSAY Industrial Revolution in the Late Nineteenth Century In the late nineteenth century, the American economy marked a complete turnaround following the tremendous industrial revolution that took place around that time. Some of the major factors that contributed to these developments include new innovations in the business strategy and technology. These developments led to new ways of farming and manufacturing and, most importantly, increased the efficiency of these economic activities. Railroad was one of the important breakthroughs during this era of industrial revolution, which enhanced movement of people as well as goods, and stimulated a range of economic activities as well as business strategies in America. This essay will discuss the developments of the industrialization during the late nineteenth century, pointing out their benefits and drawbacks. Following the great industrial improvements after 1815, the market demand for different commodities led to innovation of speedy mass production and standardized methods of production. The first innovation in textile manufacturing was a fully developed factory system. This included invention of spinning machinery and the first cotton mills that used power loom. This technology enabled use of a single factory to convert fiber into cloth. The technology greatly enhanced efficiency in the cloth industry, but some people lost their jobs to machines. The women’s economic activities were also highly restructured following replacement of domestic factory production of the textile manufacturing to factory production (Divine et al. 304). Although these innovations were highly advantageous, in the late 1830s and 1840s, the conditions in the mills started deteriorating when the owners employed more workers at lesser remunerations (Divine et al. 305). This led to poor working conditions, which also stimulated a sequence of industrial strikes. The innovation of iron and steel marked a new era in the industrial revolution. For example, a plow made from iron was far much better than wooden ones, a quality that significantly increases agricultural output. Also, this technology led to replacement of scythe harvesting with grain cradle, which enabled introduction of better strains of crops, livestock, and grasses. Improvements in agriculture and manufacturing techniques accelerated internal trade and ushered in mass migration, which provided adequate labor for utilization of new economic opportunities (Divine et al. 430). The ordinary workers who were engaged in the industries perceived new technological innovations as a threat to their skills. Those who had taken years on end training and those who took pride in the objects they produced with their hands expressed great concern as they feared the industrial workplace could isolate them. Furthermore, they feared that the new innovations could throw them out of their jobs or force independent entrepreneurs to become dependent wage laborers. For instance, in 1801, one New York writer warned traders to be on the watch for those who “will screw down the wages to the last thread . . . [and destroy] the independent spirit, so distinguished at present in our mechanics, and so useful in republics” (Divine et al. 262). Following the spread of growing commercial crops, new marketing business strategies emerged and replaced the earlier practices whereby the farmers used to market their produce personally even if it meant travelling very long distances. Therefore, the local merchants who operated within the growing country towns took the responsibility of marketing the crops that were grown within their vicinity – this was done by bartering manufactured goods for agricultural produce (Divine et al. 302). The disadvantage of this strategy was that farmers and traders were now open to abuse by the middlemen. Furthermore, the middlemen added costs of products, hence making them more expensive for the consumers. Following expansion of banking, commerce and industry in the northeast, many people migrated to towns such as Albany, Massachusetts, New York, and Lowell, which surged with thousands of people. Concentration of people around these towns significantly improved trade and hence stimulated the need for transport network. As such, the mounting railroad network improved the accessibility of cities such as St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati, hence making them more prosperous. Development of railroads also led to the thriving of cities from the western frontier. For example, by 1896, Chicago grew to become America’s fourth largest city,whereby it became a center of flourishing market, especially in exporting agricultural produce to other cities (Divine et al. 306). For that reason, during the industrialization, the railroad was a very essential means of moving goods and people to and from different destinations. As the improvements in agricultural and manufacturing techniques got underway, it was becoming increasingly important to seek ways of transporting goods that were being produced in very large qualities, and to provide means of transportation to millions of immigrants who were seeking employment and trade from different parts of America and the world at large (Divine et al. 429). The development of railroad improved the state of the whole economy generally. Even though the mushrooming demand for iron used for construction of railroad was met by importation from Europe, this in the end stimulated production of iron in America. Also, new ways of financing business were invented since development of railroad required massive capital outlay, hence forcing their promoters to seek new methods of financing them. For a long time, most business enterprises were owned by partnerships and families, but following the expansion of railroad companies that sold shares to the general public, a new way of separating control and the ownership of entities was started. This also followed introduction of new types of securities such as long-term bonds and preferred stock, which had a fixed rate of return but were devoid of voting rights (Divine et al. 430). In conclusion, the late nineteenth-century industrial revolution appears to have laid the ground for the modern trade and industries. Many business strategies and technological innovations made during this time have been maintained or improved in current trade and business activities. While the early industrial revolution was largely beneficial, some viewed it as disadvantageous, for example, for fear that it could interfere with independent entrepreneurs. The railroad opened American economy to the external world and stimulated the beginning of manufacturing of products such as iron, just to mention a few. Works Cited Divine, Robert et al. The American Story. New York: Pearson, 2005. Print. Read More