In And Farming Frontiers Respond To The Essay Example
In And Farming Frontiers Respond To The Essay Example

In And Farming Frontiers Respond To The Essay Example

Available Only on StudyHippo
  • Pages: 3 (813 words)
  • Published: July 22, 2016
  • Type: Essay
View Entire Sample
Text preview

The cities and frontier experienced economic and social change during the late 1800s Industrial Revolution. Both entrepreneurs and laborers were unable to challenge big businesses individually or form unions, and instead had to assimilate into America's capitalist industries. The larger corporations, such as cash crop farms, ore-breaking machines, and the railroad, also had an impact on farmers, miners, and long drive cowboys. Consequently, all these groups were influenced and transformed by the industrial revolution through interaction with larger businesses and elite corporations.

Dusty-whiskered “Pike’s Peakers” flocked to the ore-filled Rockies in search of their fortunes. Armed with dishpans, these groups of rough young men quickly collected all the loose pay dirt. This marked the beginning of the age of big business in the mining industry. To handle the large amount of ore, heavy machinery was br

...

ought in from elsewhere. Since individual miners couldn't afford such expensive equipment, these smaller gold-washers were gradually replaced by bustling corporations. The mining frontier, resembling the adventurous Wild West, attracted more people and wealth, which further marginalized small miners.

The transcontinental railroad was a convenient solution for marketing the tough, long-horned cattle of the grassy plains of Texas. This led to the prosperous business of the "Long Drive," where Texas cowboys herded their cattle to the nearest railroad terminal. These cowboys drove their herds across endless, fenceless, and unpopulated plains, which allowed them to earn large profits. However, as railroads expanded, homesteaders and sheepherders came in and built numerous barbed-wire fences, making it difficult for cowboys to continue their way of life. The overexpansion, largely due to the railroads, forced cowboys to give up their lifestyles

View entire sample
Join StudyHippo to see entire essay

and embrace farming. The long drive became a thing of the past as stockmen began to fence in their ranches and selectively breed cattle to remain profitable and avoid overproduction. The railroad was America's first big business and played a major role in the ranching frontier, ultimately resulting in the growth of cattle ranching as another significant industry.

The Homestead Act enticed small farmers to come to the Great American Desert, but it eventually turned out to be a cruel trick. The presence of railroads and higher wheat prices, due to failed crops abroad, also attracted these farmers. However, the situation soon changed. The high wheat prices caused farmers to focus on growing one single profitable crop, such as wheat or corn. They used their profits to buy other goods at the general store or from town through mail order. The more innovative and larger-scale farmers had to invest in expensive machinery to quickly plant and harvest their fields. Small farmers, lacking enough money for such investments, became a thing of the past. Mechanization led to the rise of bonanza farms and affected the once-small farmers in a way that either temporarily propelled them forward or forced them back into being industrial workers. Once again, the rapidly industrializing "big businesses" played a role in altering or improving the fate of these homesteaders.

During the lively Industrial Revolution, both entrepreneurs and laborers were heavily impacted by the economic fluctuations and the decisions of their employers. According to the American Pageant Twelfth Edition, corporations had the power to easily replace individual or small groups of workers, while workers were not as easily able to find

alternative employment. For instance, if workers went on strike, corporations could bring in willing workers from the growing immigrant population who were willing to accept low wages. Additionally, the introduction of machines further increased the dispensability of workers. Furthermore, large corporations often received favorable rulings from federal judges, giving them even more power and advantage over small businesses.

During the Industrial Revolution, laborers were frequently coerced into signing “yellow-dog” contracts, in which they pledged to never join a union. If caught going against this agreement, workers could easily be “black-listed". Moreover, many workers remained perpetually indebted to the grocery store of their "company town", essentially living in a state of serfdom. In this era, employees and entrepreneurs alike were subjected to the control of large business employers who consistently stifled their individuality and creativity within the impersonal setting of the factory.

The Industrial Revolution in the late 19th century brought great prosperity, but it primarily benefited those who were considered the most successful. Others were merely pawns controlled by those in power. The dusty miner and the Texan cowboy both had to adapt to new roles as day laborers and cattle breeders, respectively. Subsistence farmers struggled to make a living on poor-quality land while mechanization took over traditional farming methods. Ultimately, workers joined forces to improve their difficult conditions, due to the exploitation of wealth and power by corporate owners. Overall, the response of laborers and entrepreneurs to the industrial revolution was similar to that of mining, farming, and ranching frontiers; each group underwent significant changes when they encountered large businesses controlled by the wealthy.

Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New