Week 3 Reflection: Industrial Capitalism

 Caption: Industrial Revoltion Photo Credit: https://fee.org/articles/the-industrial-revolution-was-dirty-but-pre-industrial-europe-was-worse/

Industrialization proved to be exceedingly impactful on the people of the United States of America. The United States went from an agricultural nation of cotton and the like to erecting skyscrapers in a matter of time. Much of the progress made during this period of industrial revolution was made under the public assumption that there was a "Free Market" to be upheld and that it was dictated by itself essentially. That assumption was in fact a myth that has been allowed to have been propagated since the 1800's at least. There was a great shift in the capacity of the average American worker during this harrowing period as well. The American worker went from a skilled worker of some sort (usually a Farmer or something akin to the field) to a factory worker where they were limited not only in skillset but in the scope of their lives when all was said and done. The "freedom" that many sought while working was being constantly undermined by poor working conditions and even more destitute wages. Carnegie (to no surprise of mine) is rather forthright in his assumption that those who require the most help often require little assistance to begin with. Asinine though this belief may be, there is a shred of truth to the belief that one's own faculties can elevate one to new heights or social standings. Although, I do not believe for a moment that this proposed rich man's burden fits any version of the real world. His wealth completely dissociated him from the average person. How could he possibly pretend to know what is best for them?

Bibliography

Andrew Carnegie
From Andrew Carnegie, "Wealth," North American Review, 1889.

Hip Hughes "The Pullman Strike of 1894 Explained: US History Review".
Website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=fIzpvrwk160&feature=emb_logo