8.12.5

Examine the location and effects of urbanization, renewed immigration, and industrialization (e.g., the effects on the social fabric of cities, wealth and economic opportunity, the conservation movement.)
            During the Industrial Revolution, large parts of Northeast America (New York, Pittsburgh, etc.) became highly industrial as more and more farmers moved away from their fields and plows to make a new life in the larger cities of America. America prospered greatly off of urbanization and became a major power in the world rather quickly. America’s prosperity however, created a great need for cheap labor. Immigration, which had been rejuvenated and largely revived at the close of the first years of the Civil War, was seen by factory owners as a spectacular chance to acquire inexpensive, if not almost free, labor. As America became highly industrialized many financial options opened up. Not only did industrialization create an abundance of jobs, it also gave many people the chance to take a risk and open their own businesses. The conservation movement was in its infancy. Early attempts to conserve America’s land, air, and water were largely pushed aside as more and more citizens decided to make a living with industry instead of agriculture.
            As the number of immigrants coming to the United States steadily grew, so did the number of cultures. Many new traditions were introduced rather quickly to the U.S. However, this cultural melting pot effect had a mixed effect. Not all saw it fit to embrace the many traditions that new Americans brought off the boats every day. America’s social fabric began to take on a major change. On one side, you had the immigrants and people whom believed that new immigrants should be accepted with open arms into the country. That group in particular really benefited from the many cultures in numerous ways. The other group however, was comprised of people who thought that the only real purpose of the immigrants was to do the work that most Americans were too lazy or spoiled to do. Many small remnants of this argument can still be found in American society today.


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