Industrial Revolution Transformation and its Impact on American Workers

Industrial Revolution Transformation and its Impact on American Workers
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Introduction
The 1820s and 1830s were instrumental decades in the lives of Americans as a market revolution took shape, transforming American business. Before the 1820s, the country was characterized by agriculture, living in rural areas, widespread inequality due to few jobs, and few small urban businesses. The transformation resulted in transportation improvements and advances in communication; farms grew, producing products for international markets, and the manufacturing industry expanded due to machines’ invention. The significant transformation pushed American workers to leave their homes for cities and created increased employment opportunities. Nonetheless, it exposed them to poor working conditions, overworking, and child labor, forcing them to fight back through political action and activism, a battle they eventually won.
Changes American workers experienced.
           The primary change American employees experienced was moving away from their homes to cities. The need for economic independence due to population increase and a high number of laborers without lands to till pushed them to consider alternative income sources. Thus, according to Fonner (1977, p. 135), most rural dwellers left home for the first time, their beautiful memories, joys, and family’s care and protection to the promised land in the cities in search of employment in factories and mines. As a result, they were influenced by the new cash economy, making more leave their homes for cities for better lives.
           American workers experienced increased job opportunities. According to Clark, Hewitt, Rosenzweig, Lichtenstein, Brown & Jaffee (2008, p.332-333), the intensifying of the transformation led to farms expanding and began producing products on a large scale for export. Manufacturing products such as cotton and grains expanded, creating the need for laborers, warehousemen, dock workers, and sailors who would unload and store goods. Similarly, the expansion of roads and construction created numerous job opportunities for construction workers and handypersons. Consequently, American workers had a wide choice of factories and different jobs. For example, William Shaw, a textile worker, worked for four factories within nine years, changes he made based on access to job opportunities and income earned (Shaw, 1838, p.90). Also, the need for more managers and operations employees increased as industries expanded all over the country. Hence this increased the supply of jobs all over the country. 
Challenges of industrial revolution transformation on workers  
            One of the significant challenges was poor working conditions. The workers were forced to work long hours of work between 10-16 hours shifts every day. Depending on the establishment, the shifts primarily began as early as 4.20 a.m. and till 7.30 p.m. Moreover, while on shift, employees were only given half an hour for breakfast and an hour and a half on good days for lunch. Thus, they w...