Question

Industrialization in the Northeast produced great benefits and also major problems. What were they? Who benefited and who suffered? Did the benefits outweigh the problems, or vice versa?

Answer 1

Manufacturing was the perfect solution for the Northeast as it had shorter cultivation season. As a result industries developed and flourished well in this region. Industrialization was most beneficial to the business owners. They increased in terms of money and power. Industrialization gave rise to emergence of middle class who were artisans and small business owners. Then there was the working class, who worked in the industries on daily wages. Thus, industrialization brought the emergence of economic classes in this region. Most benefit from industrialization was to the big business owners who grew more powerful and influential.

The middle class stressed on the importance of hard work. They emphasized on the importance of education and good upbringing of their children. Their lifestyle also improved with industrialization.

The working class got work without being very skilled. But they had to work for long hours. Had to engage their children and women folk at much cheaper rate in the work. Had to live in slums and had impoverished life style. Thus, the business class and the middle class benefited, but, the working class suffered. Also, these class moved apart from each other.

Industrial revolution brought development and prosperity in the Northeast. It enhanced the lifestyle of people, but at the cost of lives of working class who had to live in misery.