Which of the following groups benefitted the least from the prosperity of the second industrial
revolution?
A. Farmers
B. Railroad workers
C. Factory workers
D. Textile workers
What do you think?
I think it's A.
To determine which of the groups benefited the least from the prosperity of the second industrial revolution, we need to analyze the impact of this revolution on each group and compare the outcomes.
A. Farmers: During the second industrial revolution, advancements in machinery and technology led to increased agricultural production. This meant that farmers could produce more crops with less labor and effort. However, this also resulted in an oversupply of agricultural products, which led to falling prices. As a result, many farmers struggled financially and faced difficulties in selling their produce at profitable rates.
B. Railroad workers: The second industrial revolution greatly expanded the railroad network, leading to increased demand for railroad workers. These workers played a crucial role in the transportation of goods and people across the country. The growing railroad industry provided employment opportunities and job security for many workers. Therefore, they benefited to a certain extent from the prosperity of the second industrial revolution, although their working conditions and wages were not always ideal.
C. Factory workers: The second industrial revolution led to the rapid expansion of factories and the growth of manufacturing industries. Factory workers played a crucial role in the mass production of goods. However, the working conditions in factories during this period were often harsh, with long working hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. While they benefitted from employment opportunities, they often faced exploitation and poor working conditions.
D. Textile workers: Textile workers were an integral part of the industrial revolution, especially in the textile industry. Many advancements, such as the spinning jenny and power loom, revolutionized textile manufacturing. The demand for textiles increased significantly, leading to increased employment opportunities for textile workers. However, similar to factory workers, they often faced low wages, long working hours, and poor working conditions.
Based on the analysis, farmers seem to have benefited the least from the prosperity of the second industrial revolution. While other groups, such as railroad workers, factory workers, and textile workers, had employment opportunities created by the revolution, farmers faced economic challenges, such as falling prices and oversupply.