Question

Using the primary source material you have read and your knowledge of the time period 1820 to 1860, assess the validity of this statement: The wave of immigration during the 1830s and 1840s was vital in the industrialization of America.

In your response, you should do the following:
a. State a relevant thesis that directly addresses all parts of the question.
b. Support the thesis or a relevant argument with evidence from all, or all but one, of the documents.
c. Incorporate analysis of all, or all but one, of the documents into your argument.
d. Focus your analysis of each document on at least one of the following: intended audience, purpose, historical context, and/or point of view.
Support your argument with analysis of historical examples outside the documents. Connect historical phenomena relevant to your argument to broader events or processes. Upload the completed assignment to the Graded Activities Panel at the left-hand side of the screen. Be sure to submit it for grading. Use the rubric on the previous slide to ensure you meet the expected criteria for the assignment.

Answer 1

The wave of immigration during the 1830s and 1840s was vital in the industrialization of America, as it brought a larger workforce and contributed to the growth of industries.

Step-by-step explanation:

Thesis: The wave of immigration during the 1830s and 1840s was vital in the industrialization of America.

The primary source material and knowledge of the time period 1820 to 1860 support the validity of this statement. The influx of immigrants brought a larger workforce to America, which fueled the industrialization process. Skilled workers from Britain and immigrants from various European countries, as well as Chinese immigrants, contributed to the growth of industries such as textiles, shipyards, coal mines, gold mines, railroad construction, agriculture, and factories.

The industrial output of America increased significantly after the Civil War, and a quarter-million immigrants arrived in America every year to find work in cities. Urbanization occurred rapidly, and the convenience of immigrants settling near factories and contributing to the labor force further catalyzed industrialization. The industrial revolution not only propelled America's growth and economic status but also impacted the lives of workers, with the emergence of dangerous and unsanitary factory conditions, low pay, and the growth of labor unions.