Inequity During The Industrial Revolution

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The Industrial Revolution was a time of rapid development in industry that began in Europe, especially Great Britain, in the late eighteenth century, then spread to the United States and other countries. It was brought about by the introduction of machinery, and was characterized by the growth of factories and the mass production of manufactured goods . During this time, new technologies were created and made available to the public through the use of new production and transportation methods. Manufacturing goods became much easier, new businesses began, and as a result, America grew, both in population and influence. However, due to the Industrial Revolution, America began to stray from the vision the founding fathers had for the nation in the late 1700’s and 1800’s. Though social mobility was promised to immigrants and common Americans, these same people were often exploited and left in poverty. Founding fathers, such as Thomas Jefferson, valued farming above all else, but as industrialism took hold of America, farming became much necessary, and farmers more scarce. Finally, though America’s politicians promised to hear what the common people had to say, during and after the Industrial Revolution it seemed that only the very wealthy could make any sort of impact, and there was nothing to stop them from crushing the working class underfoot. The United States of America was built on the ideal that every man should be able to make his way in the world regardless of his family or class. The American Declaration of Independence contains the line, “We hold these truths to be self evident; that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.” This iconic line proclaims the new country’s commitment to each man’s right to opportunity. Enticed by
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