7. Industrial Revolution and Reforms

1. 7. Industrial Revolution and Reforms

2. 7.1 Industrial Revolution • The needs of the Civil War greatly stimulated the development of manufacturing based on the use of iron and steam. The War unified the domestic market and freed the labor. The fast development of science and technology, rich natural resources, and a pro-capital government (such as its policy of maintaining high-tariff on imported goods to protect domestic industries), among others, were conducive to the industrial development.

3. Immigrant Chinese workers contributed greatly to the railroad building in the 19th century America • The railroad, symbol of the Industrial Revolution to many Americans, experienced astronomical growth. • The first railroad was opened in 1830 and by 1900 the railroad mileage exceeded 300,000 kilometers. • A complete nationwide railroad network had been built. By then, the U.S. had more railroad than Europe added up.

4. One mile equals 1.6 km • On By mid-1870’s the US had more railroad than today’s China though at different levels

5. Iron & Steel • Iron and steel production, another symbol of the Industrial Revolution, spread westward from the East to the Great Lakes region. • The South (such as Birmingham, Alabama and Chattanooga, Tennessee) where there were rich deposits of iron ore and coal later became home to many steel factories and related industries. • U.S. production of iron and steel soared to about 30 million tons in 1900 from a little over 3 million tons in 1860.

6. Thomas Edison & light bulb • Inventions greatly enhanced productivity, lowered production cost and improved quality. This development can be seen in the increase of patent number. Before 1865, only 36,000 patents were granted. The figure increased to 300,000 from 1865 to 1890. Bell and the first telephone Kodak- the first camera

7. America’s GNP grew between 1860 and 1900 by an average of nearly 4 percent annually, a rate one-third better than that of Germany and nearly double that of Great Britain. • In the same years, U.S. textile production doubled, the number of manufacturing workers quadrupled, rail production quintupled. • Overall manufacturing output soared from $1.8 billion in 1860 to $13 billion in 1900. By 1894, the US industrial output exceeded that of the U.K., ranking number one in the world.

8. 7.2 Social Reforms-the Progressive Movement • The Industrial Revolution created colossal wealth as well as stark poverty. • Meanwhile many other problems emerged: serious pollution, rampant political corruption, frequent industrial accidents, more and more violent strikes, and increasing monopoly that harmed consumers’ interests, to name a few. Sweatshop in 1900 A child laborer in 1908

9. Social tensions were high. If nothing was done, revolution would be possible as had occurred in Europe in the mid-19th century. • A series of reforms were carried out. The most striking one was the Progressive Movement starting in the 1890s. • Not an organized campaign with clearly defined goals but a number of diverse efforts at political, social, and economic reforms.

10. Socially, living conditions for the poor in cities were improved, child labor was eventually banned, working hours were limited, and industrial accident insurance was implemented, etc. • Politically, reforms on city and state governments were conducted to be more responsive to people’s demands. Measures were also taken to fight corruption which was evident in the Gilded Age (roughly 1865-1900). • Economically, laws were made to regulate big business to prevent price-fixing and control of the market.

11. The Progressive Movement started in the 1890s and ended after WWI. • It eased the social tensions by limiting the negative effects of capitalism and making some concessions to the working class. • In a word, it brought large-scale reforms to avoid revolution in the U.S. • Effects were limited but historically significant: firstly many Americans came to accept that the government should play a role in people’s life to enhance equality and justice; secondly the reforms paved the way for the US transformation into a welfare society.

12. ◎Topics for discussion • There is a lot of resemblance between the US at the turn of the 20th century and China at the turn of the 21st century. Compare the two counties to find out the similarities and differences. F.g., both countries witnessing sharp transformations, rapid industrialization and many serious social problems, such as industrial accidents, economic polarization, serious pollution, corruption, etc. • What can we learn from the American experience in easing if not solving today’s social problems?

13. ◎Conclusion • In this section, we have learned some very basic facts and detailed information about the American Civil War and the American Industrial Revolution and following reforms to remedy the ills brought by industrialization. • From the lectures we have explored the causes to the outbreak of the American Civil War, causes to the North victory and its the significance; and the measures taken by progressive reformers and the impact of the movement.

14. ◎Further reading and references (useful websites) • http://www.heritage.org/research/reports/2002/08/how-to-understand-slavery-and-americas • http://kasamaproject.org/2009/10/18/october-16-1859-raid-at-harpers-ferry-hopes-to-rouse-slave-revolution/http:// • http://americancivilwar.com/kids_zone/underground_railroad.html • http://www.civilwarhome.com/johnbrownbio.htm • http://www.ilr.cornell.edu/trianglefire/primary/photosIllustrations/slideshow.html?image_id=840&sec_id=8#screen

15. ◎Assignment • Read extensively from different resources and learn more about the measures the North took to win the American Civil War; read to know about A. Lincoln’s leadership in the War; read more about the progressive reforms and their results. • Pre-read about the history of the U.S. in two world wars and the US status in today’s world. Try to find out the causes for the rapid rise of the U.S.

16. http://www.21ccom.net/articles/sdbb/2013/0625/86270.html • 陈安：进步运动——美国社会的全面改革 • 这是个大题目，可写一本书，实际上也早已有人写过。此题目之所以大，因为这是一场持续30年(1889-1920)之久的改革运动，广泛而深刻地改变了美国社会，使这个国家不至于继续沿着歪道邪路走下去，不至于由于严重的不公正、不平等、贪婪、腐败现象而使社会变质糜...