Question

How did the rise of industry and "big business" reshape the focus of american society in regards to consumerism and labor?

Answer 1

Thanks to the big business development and advertising achievement the American society focused on consumerism a lot more. Advertising started creating need for things that weren't really all that necessary but people started buying them more and more. Since the US was a manufacturing powerhouse after World War 2, they made more and more and exported it but still they made a lot so it had to be sold and everyone started buying everything. The value system became somewhat of a hoarding one with you being better positioned in a society based on how many things you have.

When it comes to labor, the mass manufacturing led to longer work hours and to new developments. People in unions started fighting for their rights like higher paychecks or better working conditions. Manufacturing was often dangerous because the factories were not as safe, so new legislature had to be implemented so as to keep the workers satisfied.