Question

3. Write a short essay describing the extremes of poverty, wealth, and opportunity in the United States in the late 1800s

Answer 1

The 1800's were a transformative time in the history of the United States.

The first part of the century was known for the ugly Civil War which almost broke the young country apart.

The second part, mostly focused on the reconstruction era, where the country started to built itself up, post the war.

In the early part of the 1800s, the United States was attracted a lot of immigrants from England and Europe. The primary industry was still farming and the expansion of the country to the west opened up new lands.

However, most of these farmers were poor and simply came to escape the extreme poverty in their homeland.

By the end of the 1800s the United States was emerging as a serious economic power in the world.

There was great family wealth being accumulated in cities such as New York, Chicago and almost every major city.

There were numerous opportunities as more and more people moved to the cities. However, the cities started to below slum areas and the different between the rich and the poor became very clear.

Answer 2

The late 1800s in the US were the times of the Reconstruction Era - Post Civil War - Gilded Age and Progressive Era. There was a rise of industrialization during that time, what created rapid economic growth and prosperity in the North and West. Before the late 1800s most of the US population lived in small farming communities, with the rise of industrialization, people went to the cities looking for work.

There was a wave of European immigration during that time. It is said that 27.5 million new arrivals happened in those years. But they went to the US with no money and worked in factories, they also usually lived in factory towns. Most of the immigrants took unskilled jobs at those places.

There was a rise in wealth for the middle class during that time, they could invest money in a new business, in education and training.

The quick industrialization also benefited farmers, new farm equipment was developed. Better seeds and improved farming methods increased farm produce. The problem this made crops price go down and farmers could not make a living anymore. This pushed many farmers to go bankrupt.

One of the most important marks in the mid-to-late-1800s was the conquest of the West. Railways, Trains stretched across the US and the transportation of crops and other goods was easier than before.