Mechanization
MECHANIZATION IN THE U. S.
Mechanization began in England in the mid 18th century. It made a quick transition into America and forever changed the lives of Americans. With the inventions of the steam engine and cotton gin, the clothing industry boomed ahead and started the transition of using machines to do human jobs. Without having to do everything by hand, jobs became much easier and less manual. That led to children and women being introduced to the work force. However many of these job conditions were not safe. Without any laws specifying the safety requirements in a workplace, business owners would invest in a cheap unsafe environment in order to save money. The factory system also caused a substantial increase of population in American cities. Since more jobs were required, more people moved to cities, but since there were more people there had to be more food and supplies, and since there was more food and supplies there had to be more jobs to produce these causing a rapid increase of population. The continuous cycle led to major urbanization in America, completely changing the ways of the nation. However, cities became very dirty and unsanitary with the major increase of population. Cities were overcrowded and often times very poor in certain locations. |
MECHANIZATION IN GERMANY
Germany experienced many changes during the industrial revolution from the very first textile mills to improvements in agriculture. The first factories in Germany created fabrics like silk, cotton, and fustian. The factories produced these goods much faster and cheaper than older hand woven fabrics. This made many hand weaving businesses close down. Also while textile mills made clothing and fabrics, steel was a very important industry. By the end of the German industrial revolution Germany became the largest steel producer in all of Europe. Many other things that came during the industrial revolution were great advancements in railroads. This was the same with the United States and many other countries during their industrial revolutions. During Germany’s industrial revolution they found a way to produce sheet glass. As well as grain and sugar becoming their major crops in agriculture. They also came up with better farming tools and fertilizer. Another innovation was a way to produce higher pressure non-condensing steam engines. With the engines people were able to produce products faster and cheaper. |
SUMMARY
Both America and Germany experienced many of the same advances in society and machines during the Industrial Revolution. Mechanization made living conditions for the workers very poor and dirty. It also allowed anybody to work in the factory because all that they had to do was assemble parts and let the machines do the more precise work. The introduction of the assembly line made the production of cotton cloth faster and easier, driving hand weavers out of business.
Both America and Germany experienced many of the same advances in society and machines during the Industrial Revolution. Mechanization made living conditions for the workers very poor and dirty. It also allowed anybody to work in the factory because all that they had to do was assemble parts and let the machines do the more precise work. The introduction of the assembly line made the production of cotton cloth faster and easier, driving hand weavers out of business.