Final answer:
Industrialization in the United States led to the decline of skilled artisans as mechanized production done by low-paid unskilled laborers replaced the need for artisanal handiwork and craftsmanship.
Step-by-step explanation:
The spread of industrialization in the United States significantly impacted skilled artisans, leading to their decline. With industrialization, the production of goods shifted away from the handiwork of highly skilled middle-class artisans to mechanized production performed by low-paid, unskilled laborers. This change not only transformed the nature of production, making it more centralized and repetitive, but it also devalued the expertise of artisans as the tasks that once required their meticulous skills were now being replaced by machinery and less specialized workers.
Artisans who had once thrived on their craftsmanship faced diminished demand for their unique, handcrafted goods. Factories that produced larger quantities of standardized products required workers to perform simpler, repetitive tasks, significantly reducing the need for skilled craftsmanship. As a result, many skilled artisans were compelled to transition into factory workers or find other means to make a living, often at lower wages and with less autonomy over their work.