Question

Industrialization in the Northeast produced great benefits and also major problems. What were they? Who benefited and who suffered? Did the benefits outweigh the problems, or vice versa?

Answer 1

1. The benefits of the industrialization in the Northeast can be mostly seen in the modernization of the region, as well as in the economic growth. This region of America was the one that was the most in touch with the newest technologies that were developing in Europe, thus it was more advanced technologically than the others. This led to rapid economic growth through the industry, making its economy relatively strong. The main problems were that the workers were having low wages, worked too much hours, and lived in terrible conditions, as well as the rapid urbanization that led to of problems in the housing department and all the basic needs for living, since it was rushed and not well planned.

2. Unfortunately, it was not everyone that had benefit from the economic growth of the region. The company owners, large land owners, bankers, all had huge benefit of it, and they became very powerful and rich, but they represented only a small fraction of the population. The majority of the population was struggling and lived in terrible conditions, with the poverty rates being very high despite the constant economic growth.

3. It is hard to tell did the benefits or the problems outweigh in this situation. From one side, the economy was growing stronger, and the region was modernized, which on the long run gave it big advantage in its development and became one of the most important places in the world. On the other side, the majority of the people didn't really saw anything from this modernization and economic development, but instead lived in bad conditions, and took quite some time for their standard of living to became descent.