History Assigment

After the Civil War, the United States became a much more industrialized society. Between 1865 and 1920, industrialization improved American life in many ways. However, industrialization also created problems for American society. Consider events that took place after the Civil War and discuss ways that industrialization affected the U.S. between 1865 and 1920.

A thesis statement and general outline has already been created for use with this assignment, and will be sent in MS Word format when an agreement has been reached.

Write a three to five page paper in which you:

1. Introduce your paper with your previously crafted thesis statement.

2. Discuss three major aspects of industrialization between 1865 and 1920. In your response, consider society, the economy, and politics.

3. Identify three specific groups that were affected by industrialization and provide two examples for each group describing how the group was affected. (Consider issues such as race, ethnicity, gender, child labor, etc.)

4. Summarize how industrialization affected the life of the average working American during this period. Use specific examples and details.

5. Use at least three academic references besides or in addition to the textbook. Note: Wikipedia and other Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

The assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides; citations and references MUST follow APA style.

• The reference page is not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Identify and discuss the different ways that the heritage of slavery, the Civil War, the Reconstruction, and segregation have shaped America's history.

• Summarize and discuss the ways that formal policies of government have influenced the direction of historical and social development in the United States.

• Recognize the major turning points in American history since the Civil War.

• Use technology and information resources to research issues in contemporary U.S. history.

• Write clearly and concisely about contemporary U.S. history using proper writing mechanics.

Outline

Industrialization after the Civil War influenced many aspects of life in the United States. The changing American landscape in the antebellum period was visible in economic, political, and social areas, in both positive and negative ways.

I. Economy

A. Machines replacing Manual Labor

1. Division of Labor / Specialization

B. Railway network increasing distribution of goods

1. Raw materials shipped to factories
2. Completion of first transcontinental railway

II. Society

A. Expansion of Middle Class and increase in income gap

1. Increase in Child Labor
2. Large amounts of Underprivileged and Scarcity of Jobs

B. Large movement of people from rural to urban areas / Increase in Immigration

1. Overall population of United States doubled between 1870 and 1916

C. End of frontier life

1. Homestead Act of 1962 came to logical conclusion with end of Westward Expansion

III. Politics

A. Establishment of Progressive reformers

1. Strove to end Government Corruption / make Responsible to the People
2. Worked to Reduce Poverty and Improve Living Conditions
3. Women's Suffrage

B. Creation of Labor Unions

1. AFLCIO bargained to gain Better Wages and Working Conditions
2. National Grange and Farmers' Alliance forced Railways to lower operations costs

C. Regulation of Big Business

1. Roosevelt's "Square Deal" for Americans and involvement in United Mine Workers strike
2. Taft introduces Underwood Tariff Act of 1913.