Did the industrial age and the rise in the numbers of factories help or hurt the expansion of the middle class in the United States? Explain.
a
It helped the expansion of the middle class because poor factory working conditions forced the government to enact laws that eliminated many predatory business practices.
b
It hurt the expansion of the middle class because the factory system replaced the domesticity of goods, in which individual workers would use personal tools or simple machinery to fabricate goods in their own homes. These craftsmen were forced to take lower-paying factory jobs.
c
It helped the expansion of the middle class because factories offered citizens with little-to-no education a stable job with good wages and benefits.
d
It hurt the expansion of the middle class because factories forced citizens with little-to-no education into low-paying jobs with no benefits.
b - It hurt the expansion of the middle class because the factory system replaced the domesticity of goods, in which individual workers would use personal tools or simple machinery to fabricate goods in their own homes. These craftsmen were forced to take lower-paying factory jobs. While the industrial age did create new job opportunities, it also had a negative impact on skilled workers and the domestic economy. The factory system led to the concentration of workers in urban areas and the decline of traditional crafts and trades, which weakened the economic power of skilled workers and artisans and their ability to maintain high wages and job security.
Both options a and c contributed to the expansion of the middle class in the United States during the industrial age, while options b and d had negative effects.
a. It helped the expansion of the middle class because poor factory working conditions forced the government to enact laws that eliminated many predatory business practices. The rise of factories led to poor working conditions, including long hours, low wages, and dangerous environments. As a result, workers organized and pushed for labor reform. The government responded by enacting laws to improve working conditions, such as labor regulations, minimum wage laws, and workplace safety standards. These reforms helped uplift the working class and created better opportunities for the middle class to grow.
c. It also helped the expansion of the middle class because factories offered citizens with little-to-no education a stable job with good wages and benefits. The industrial age created a demand for skilled and unskilled labor in factories. This meant that individuals who lacked formal education or specialized skills could still secure stable employment and earn higher wages compared to what they could have earned in traditional occupations. This provided a pathway for economic mobility for many individuals, helping them enter and expand the middle class.
On the other hand, options b and d do highlight some negative consequences:
b. It hurt the expansion of the middle class because the factory system replaced the domesticity of goods, in which individual workers would use personal tools or simple machinery to fabricate goods in their own homes. These craftsmen were forced to take lower-paying factory jobs. The rise of factories diminished the demand for skilled artisans and craftsmen who could produce goods independently. This led to a decline in their wages and forced many of them to take lower-paying factory jobs, which hindered their ability to join or maintain a middle-class lifestyle.
d. It hurt the expansion of the middle class because factories forced citizens with little-to-no education into low-paying jobs with no benefits. While factories did offer employment opportunities for those without formal education, these jobs often had lower wages and limited benefits. Individuals who lacked education or specialized skills had limited options, and they were often forced to settle for low-paying jobs with few, if any, benefits. This made it challenging for them to move up the social ladder and achieve middle-class status.
Overall, the industrial age and the rise in factories had both positive and negative effects on the expansion of the middle class in the United States. It brought about labor reforms, new job opportunities, and improved economic prospects for some individuals. However, it also displaced traditional craft workers and created a divide between those with education and specialized skills and those without.