Introduction
Industrialization changed the course of the American nation forever converting it from a formerly traditional agrarian society, into a highly industrialized economy. During this time, America not only went through very rapid technological growth that gave rise to the growth of factories, industries, and better means of communication; but it was also a period during which she became aware of her tremendous growth and sought to establish herself as a superpower.
A lot of innovations taking place during this period such as the steam engine gave rise to the use of machinery to carry out various tasks that were previously performed manually. The discovery of iron and steel enabled the construction of factories, railways, industrial machinery as well as modern housing. The post-war era became a period of the tremendous growth of industries and modern businesses; giving the nation a new economic and political power both locally and abroad (Kevin & Laurie 45-46; Brezina 9-10).
Industrialization and Imperialism in America
During the Industrial Revolution, a lot of innovations took place such as the invention of the steam engine which enabled the use of machinery to carry out various tasks that were previously performed manually. Production of goods changed and industry the manufacturing of goods became the driving force towards a modern economy. Animal and manual labor was replaced by machines while various innovations enabled the easier conversion of raw materials into manufactured products. America’s transformation was very striking during the Industrial Revolution and between 1790 when the first factory was built on American soil and Henry Ford’s invention of the first average American car in 1908, the U.S.A. had been transformed from a thinly populated agrarian society into one of the world’s most industrialized and urbanized societies. It is the technological developments of this time that set the stage for America’s gradual rise to super-power status in the world (Brezina 5-6; Kevin & Laurie 145, 259).
With improved technology, manufacturing of goods became much easier and faster and most of the population could now access goods that were previously considered luxuries. Costs of production had decreased through the use of machinery and most goods, therefore, became affordable for the majority of the population. Expansion of factories and industries created employment for the masses and the standard of living subsequently improved for many Americans; while increased consumer spending combined with increased exports gave rise to tremendous economic growth (Kevin & Laurie 81-82). Technological development however gave rise to new social perils; sweeping jobless artisans and farmers into the industrial cities where labor was in high demand in the factories and industries.
The high demand for labor soon drove women and children into the labor force while the gap between the rich and the poor continued to widen because industrial power was in the hands of a few wealthy people who used the masses to labor provisions to expand their economic empires. Cheaper production of goods led to an influx in the market and therefore cheaper prices which also meant lower wages for the workers. Working hours became longer due to the high demand for production and working conditions also worsened as goods had to be produced at breakneck speed. With time, transportation improved and movement of people and goods became easier and cheaper leading to the growth of urban centers. But urban growth resulted in overcrowding and subsequently to the spread of tuberculosis and other airborne diseases. Drinking water was mainly sourced from wells that were poorly maintained and water-borne diseases also became very common (Horn & Schaffner 493-494, p. 645).
Industrialization led to a growing need for skilled labor to man the machinery in the factories and industries and this led to the development of public education to cater to this new demand. Technological innovations such as the telegraph improved the means of communication making it easier for business ideas to spread out over vast regions. Better communication also opened up America to other parts of the world making trading much easier and subsequently leading to a vast growth of the economy. Construction of railways, roads, and waterways also took place making importation of raw materials as well as exportation of produced goods much easier. The invention of the steam engine led to the growth of the printing industry whereby newspapers and other literature could now be produced in large quantities; improving the growing literacy needs and also opening up America to the outer world (Horn & Schaffner 160; Kevin & Laurie, p. 142-149).
Towards the end of the 19th century, however, a new realization had hit the U.S. whereby the nation became aware of its potential as a world power. By the time, America had grown tremendously as an industrial nation and was also the leading producer of cotton and wheat. She had also developed a proud past of successful international treaties that had fulfilled her desires for expansion. Economic success and the fear of growing European colonization made her reconsider her isolationist policy as the time appeared ripe for an expansionist policy. One of the advocates of the new foreign policy, Alfred T. Mahan proposed various developments such as the construction of the Panama Canal and the development of U.S naval bases in Hawaii, the Caribbean, Cuba, and the Philippines. He also advocated that the U.S. become the world watchdog; speaking softly on behalf of weaker nations but carrying a big stick. Mahan had the support of President Roosevelt, other politicians as well as the American public who all held the popular belief of manifest destiny that created a general feeling that the U.S. was right in getting involved in the conflicts of other nations so as to help those that were inferior. U.S. military bases were subsequently established overseas and in about 10 years, American imperialism had overgrown her previously isolationist policy of about 10 years (Wallace, pp.1-5).
Conclusion
Industrialization and imperialism worked greatly to change the course of the American nation and are responsible for her growth into a highly industrialized nation and world superpower. Industrialization set the platform for American imperialism because of the tremendous economic growth that resulted from industrial growth. Economic wealth became the tool through which America was able to annex new territories either for political or economic reasons.
Works Cited
- Brezina, Corona. The Industrial Revolution in America: a Primary Source History of America’s Transformation into Industrial Society. Buffalo, NY: Rosen Publishing Group, 2005, pp. 5-10.
- Hillstrom, Kevin and Hillstrom Laurie C. Industrial Revolution in America: Automobiles, Mining and Petroleum, Textiles. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2006. 45-46, 81- 82, 145 & 259.
- Van Horn, Carl E. and Schaffner Herbert A. Work in America: An Encyclopedia of History, Policy, and Society. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2003. 493-494 & 645
- Wallace, Julia. “American Imperialism in the 20th Century: Turning from Isolationism.” Associated Content, 2008.