Industrializing America by Walter Lichts - Book Report/Review Example

? INDUSTRIALIZING AMERICA: THE NINETEENTH CENTURY In the contemporary world, there are many books written by different authors with a certain scope of the industrial revolution. With the mention of the term industrial revolution, the major factor that comes to mind is the way through which industries grew during this vital era in American History. However, it is important to recognize that one of the major aspects of the industrial revolution is the change that brought it along and also the change that it inspired. The focus on this aspect is what makes the book, Industrializing America: the Nineteenth Century, stand out. The author, Walter Lichts engages in the identification and expansion of this aspect in this book. It is important to go through the various topics on change that the author discusses with relation to the industrial revolution in an effort to gain a much deeper understanding. In an effort to understand the revolution and its impact on the American people, it is important to go through its background in general. Walter explains that he industrial revolution was one of the major aspects that led to the United States enjoying the contemporary economic superiority it does. The revolution has its background in Great Britain where it started around the end of the 18th century. It was after this that the revolution then spread its effects and the United States and Germany adopted it. The first industrial revolution was very impactful as it led to the development of the spinning industry where machines were developed and operated by water. Later on, steam came in to replace this. This was the major factor that paved way to the more advanced industrial revolution as it paved way for other ideas in the field. The consequent effect of this was the growth of the United States1. In explaining the major factors in the book, Walter states that the industrial revolution worked in a two-way kind of manner. This was from the fact that it not only inspired change, but was also a product of change. In an effort to explain this, Walter states that the 18th century was one of the centuries that so a lot of revolution with people around different parts of the world struggling to bring an end to colonization. In an effort to do this, people carried out different activities that they thought would enable them overcome suppression. After witnessing Britain develop after the industrial revolution, the United States got inspired by the manner through which these people carried out their activities. It is also important to recognize the fact that the United States of America also changed significantly after the industrial revolution. Industries came in with the inception and the development of machines. Machines have had the effect of having work completed in a strategic, accurate and fast manner. This consequently has the effect of accomplishing a lot of work in a minimal amount of time. Walter states that these machines came in vital for the development of human beings as a whole as completion of work and assurance of quality ensured that growth in the entire society took place. In his book, Walter discusses the various factors that led to the fast industrial revolution in the United States. One of the reason as to why this happened was the fact that the United States and most of the families there were facing a lot of challenges in terms of development and personal growth2. This thus had people with creative minds put their best to work in an effort to make the life at that time compatible with their needs. In general, a factor that influenced the industrial revolution was the presence of inventors during that time. Walter states that the first inventions in the United States were the railroads. There were a lot of immigrants at the time which subsequently meant that the workforce had increased drastically. With the invention of the railroad and the presence of abundant workforce, there was the assurance of widespread amount of people to different areas of the country. However, there were some locations that did not get as many people as others. This is the major reason as to why there was a difference in industrialization in different parts of the country. Remote areas could not acquire the amount of workforce required and consequently only various areas got to build industries. It is important to go through the various changes that were caused by the industrial revolution in the United States as stated in the book. Prior to the industrial revolution, the conditions in which people lived in the United States were deplorable. This was from the fact that the country had just suffered a lot under the British government and they did not have the freedom to carry out their activities as they would have wished. With the advent of the industrial revolution, a lot of change was witnessed in the United States in terms of the living conditions. People became self reliant and the fact that industries came up in an effort to build the reputation of the country, was one major source of pride for the people of that country. Industries created employment opportunities for the people of the United States. With stable employment, there was the assurance of the fact that people would always have a source of income and consequently, the living standards of these people increased steadily. Walter also states that the industrial revolution was influential in ensuring that people had quality food. This is from the fact that a part of this revolution comprised the incorporation of agricultural machines that would ensure that the product got from the fields was not only significant, but also quality. An increase in the amount and the quality of food consequently led to the people being confident in their ability to provide and support their families. With this in mind, families grew and the general effect of this was population growth all around the country. Without the industrial revolution, population would have remained stagnant or the increase would appear very minimal. The housing condition of these people is another factor that Walter discusses in a wide manner. The manner in which the Americans lived prior to the industrial revolution was rather poor. However, industrialization was very impactful from the fact that people used their different talents to construct new buildings and homes. The new types of tools and construction material brought by the new industries helped these people in creation of much better houses that would support their basic need of shelter. It is however important to recognize that the living conditions did not generally improve for everyone as soon as the industrial revolution began. During the industrial revolution, there was a great margin between the employers and the employees. The employers got the benefit of enjoying these new houses while the employees suffered in deplorable conditions. Their houses suffered attacks by pests and also the drainage systems were not well manufactured3. This led to the spread of diseases among these people and consequently there was a weakness in the industrialization process seeing as weak and unhealthy people could not provide the required manpower required. This subsequently led to the employers increasing the amount of money that they gave to their employees in an effort to sustain their high levels of making money. Consequently, employees managed to have better houses. It is important to note the fact that the manner of clothing for people in this era improved drastically. This was majorly from the fact that the industries enabled people to manufacture clothes that were of high quality. Walter in the book states that the concept of fashion developed as a result of the industrial revolution. Prior to the revolution, people dressed just so that they could either protect their body parts from cold or nudity. However, with the advent of industrialization, people started creating different types of clothes. This led to the development of trends through that people followed generation after generation. This change is present even in the contemporary environment seeing as a certain trend in clothing only lasts for a period of time before other manufactures come up with new trends. One important section to go through when analyzing the book is attempting to understand the viewpoint that the author had and his ideas towards the industrial revolution. From the composition of the book and the attitude portrayed, one recognizes the fact that Walter is rather enthusiastic towards the concept of the revolution and the changes witnessed. Walter identifies the fact that were it not for the industrial revolution, the contemporary environment would not exist and thus the importance of acknowledging and respecting the various inventors of the time. This ensures that people remain hopeful for further developments in the various fields4. The industrial revolution is one of the major eras that faced the United States. The fact that many different people have come up with different books in which they discuss the issue. Industrializing America: the Nineteenth Century is one book that has clearly stood out from the rest in the manner in which it depicts the changes that have continuously come up due to the revolution. Going through the book is one significant move in that one gets enlightened on a side of the industrial revolution that is rarely spoke. Work Cited Licht, Walter. Industrializing America: The Nineteenth Century. Chicago: Chicago University Press, 2009. Print. Read More