What was the Impact of the Industrial Revolution on working class people?

Question

Many writers argue that the industrial revolution improved the quality of life for Americans, especially with the economic opportunities, education, and social opportunities it provided. Others view the coming of American industrialization in a different way: they see it as the origins of city slums, unsafe working/living conditions and the destruction of traditional values.

Answer 1

As is anything in a progressive society their are good elements and bad elements of anything. You stated both for the Industrial Revolution. It had economic benefits but it also had associated costs. Overall it propelled our country into the leader of a free society and a major power in the world. It wasn't all good and it wasn't all bad.

Answer 2

The Industrial Revolution began in the late 1700's (according to some historians) and ran full power through the latter half of the 1800's. As to you question, impact on the working class, I would say it was both ways: it provided economic opportunies, education and social opportunities, but was also instumental in creating slums (some still extant), unsafe working/living conditions and the destruction of traditional values. All of which has continued until this day. It's part of the deal: technology, etc., at the expense of living like people in cages.

Answer 3

These points of view are not mutually exclusive. History shows that everything you included in your question has been an outgrowth of the I.R. The first word that came to my mind when I read your question was EMPLOYMENT.

Answer 4

oh, it killed them. the railroad pretty much stopped the good running of farmers. big buisiness grew in the guilded age and wiped out many business.

when what the industrial revolution again? am i right?