Industrialization is the social and economic transformation of a society from an agrarian economy to one based on mechanization. The United States underwent this process during the period from about 1760 to 1840, a period known as the Industrial Revolution. During this time, labor and processes traditionally performed by hand were replaced by machines that could perform tasks more efficiently.
Although new methods and machinery simplified work and increased output, industrialization introduced new problems as well. Some of the drawbacks included air and water pollution and soil contamination, resulting in a significant deterioration of quality of life and life expectancy.
Industrialization also exacerbated the separation of labor and capital. Those who owned the means of production became disproportionately rich, resulting in wider income inequality. Workers were forced to migrate to urban areas in search of jobs. They worked long hours, were poorly nourished, and lived in overcrowded conditions, leading to disease and stress.
Key Takeaways
- Industrialization is the transformation of a society from an agrarian economy to a manufacturing economy.
- The United States experienced this transformation during the period from 1760 to 1840.
- China began its initial era of industrialization in 1988.
- The process of industrialization may be inevitable and irreversible, but it brings with it social, political, and environmental problems.
Environmental Disadvantages
One negative byproduct of industrialization is environmental pollution that harms human health. When companies do not fix or pay for the environmental damage they cause, or when these harms are not captured in pricing, this is termed a negative externality. The cost burden is transferred to the government in the form of deforestation, extinction of species, widespread pollution, excessive waste, and other forms of environmental degradation.
In the U.S., there has been some official recognition of industrial damage to the U.S. environment since at least 1970. In that year, President Richard Nixon created the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to set pollution standards and seek ways to minimize the impact of industries on the environment.
Financial Disadvantages
Industrialization results in a wider gap between the rich and poor due to a division of labor and capital. Those who own capital tend to accumulate excessive profits derived from their economic activities, resulting in a higher disparity of income and wealth.
There has been a greater focus in recent years on wealth inequality, not least because the disparity has been growing greater for more than 40 years. In 2021, the top one percent of people in the U.S. held just shy of 35 percent of its wealth.
U.S. Factory Employment
In 1979, about 22% of nonfarm employment was in manufacturing. By mid-2019, that number had fallen to 9%.
Social Disadvantages
In the early decades of industrialization, workers in the U.S. experienced the full gamut of disadvantages that are common in the process of industrialization. Many of those disadvantages were reduced or eliminated over time by labor laws and unionization, and by the simple fact that much of America's manufacturing moved abroad to take advantage of lower prices in countries that were hungrier for jobs.
That means, of course, that those problems did not disappear, they relocated. Among the disadvantages of industrialization for workers were:
- Poor living and working conditions
- Exposure to hazardous conditions
- Child labor
- Unchecked pollution
- Overuse of fossil fuels
- The mechanization of farming, with questionable health benefits
What Are Some of the Advantages of Industrialization?
Industrialization is the mass production of goods that people want and need. It encourages innovation, entrepreneurial inspiration, and expansion. Along the way, it creates jobs for people. Those people, in turn, are able to consume goods and services that would otherwise have been out of reach.
Industrialization brings social progress as well as social problems. Before the industrialization of the U.S., most women were stuck at home weaving the cloth for their own clothes and doing the laundry by hand.
Are Any Nations Still Considered Pre-Industrial?
Yes. Nations including Egypt, Bangladesh, Bolivia, and Mozambique are still considered pre-industrial. Steps toward industrialization, if those nations want it, include identifying a valuable export and creating a national plan to develop that export into a business.
When Did the Industrial Revolution Peak in the U.S.?
The Industrial Revolution in the U.S. is generally dated to the period 1760 to 1840, when such innovations as the railroads, steamboats, and the cotton gin were introduced. However, the real impact of industrialization may have been first felt in the period from 1900 to 1915. That was when some 15 million immigrants arrived in the U.S., looking for jobs and a better life.
The Bottom Line
The loss of manufacturing jobs experienced by the United States beginning in 1979 was a wrenching process for millions of Americans and many of its cities and towns. Our new economy may have its ups and downs, but it's wise to remember the struggles our grandparents went through to get here.
As an expert in the field of industrialization, with a profound understanding of the historical and contemporary aspects of this transformative process, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge to elucidate the concepts woven into the provided article. My expertise is not merely theoretical but rooted in a deep understanding of the historical timeline and the multifaceted impact of industrialization on societies.
The article touches upon the Industrial Revolution in the United States, a period spanning from approximately 1760 to 1840. This transformative era marked the shift from an agrarian economy to one based on mechanization, where manual labor was replaced by machines for increased efficiency and output. This revolution, characterized by innovations such as railroads, steamboats, and the cotton gin, laid the foundation for the modern industrialized world.
One crucial aspect highlighted in the article is the environmental impact of industrialization. The drawbacks include air and water pollution, soil contamination, and the overall deterioration of the quality of life. I would like to emphasize the notion of negative externalities, where companies not addressing or compensating for the environmental damage they cause leads to a transfer of the cost burden to the government. This is exemplified by the establishment of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1970 by President Richard Nixon to regulate and mitigate industrial impact on the environment.
Financial consequences of industrialization are also discussed, with a focus on the widening gap between the rich and poor. The ownership of capital leads to excessive profits, contributing to income and wealth inequality. The article highlights the growing wealth disparity in recent years, with the top one percent holding a significant portion of the U.S. wealth. Additionally, it mentions the decline in factory employment from 22% in 1979 to 9% in mid-2019, underlining the socio-economic changes brought about by industrialization.
Social disadvantages are addressed, emphasizing the hardships faced by workers during the early decades of industrialization. Issues such as poor living and working conditions, child labor, unchecked pollution, and overuse of fossil fuels are outlined. The narrative acknowledges that while some of these problems were mitigated over time through labor laws and unionization, others were merely relocated as manufacturing moved abroad.
Furthermore, the article touches on the advantages of industrialization, highlighting mass production, job creation, innovation, and social progress. It stresses the transformative nature of industrialization, enabling women to move beyond traditional domestic roles and participate in the workforce.
The global perspective is also incorporated, noting that certain nations, including Egypt, Bangladesh, Bolivia, and Mozambique, are still considered pre-industrial. The article suggests that these nations can take steps toward industrialization by identifying valuable exports and creating national plans for business development.
In conclusion, the article paints a comprehensive picture of industrialization, covering historical contexts, environmental impact, financial consequences, social dynamics, and global implications. It encourages readers to reflect on the challenges and transformations brought about by industrialization, emphasizing the importance of understanding the historical struggles that paved the way for the present economic landscape.
