The Effects of Industrialization on U.S. Economy and Society
The rise of industrialization during the 1900s brought many changes to the American
economy and society. Urbanization (mainly due to immigration), new technologies, the
rise of big business through industrial trusts, and the rise of laissez-faire capitalism are
among the most significant of these changes.
The rise of industrialization brought many significant changes to the American Economy
and society during the 1900s. Some of these changes included urbanization, the rise of big
businesses, and the rise of laissez faire capitalism. Industrialization had both a positive and
negative effect on the U.S. economy and society. It allowed the United States to surpass
many of its leading competitors including Germany and Great Britain but it also led to
sharper Economic and class divisions among the rich, middle class, and the poor.
Immigrants came to the United States during the industrial era for the main purposes of
finding jobs. This led to a shift from rural areas to the urbanization of cities. Slums were
also built as housing for immigrant families. Cities provided a supply of labor for factories
and a principle market for factory made goods. Millions of young Americans from rural
areas decided to seek new economic opportunities in the cities therefore they left their
farms for industrial and commercial jobs. Cities underwent changes in size and internal
structure. Skyscrapers were built with a steel skeleton to allow buildings to be constructed
taller and taller.
The rise of big businesses like the Standard Oil Trust was a benefit of industrialization.
