Final answer:
The primary focus during the Industrial Age shifted from farming to manufacturing and industry, which led to significant urbanization and technological advancements in production. This transformation drove a massive increase in the number of industrial workers, altering the face of society and the structure of the economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Industrial Age, the primary focus shifted from farming to manufacturing and industrial activities. This shift marked a move from an agrarian economy to an industrial economy in America, particularly in the mid to late nineteenth century. The adoption of technology and the movement from manual labor to machine-driven industries led to a surge in the need for factory workers and fueled rapid urbanization as people moved from rural areas to work in urban factory jobs.
Urbanization was coupled with the development of commercial electricity which allowed industries to grow and concentrate in cities, no longer reliant on just water power. The influx of newly arrived immigrants further swelled the urban workforce. Industrial workers increased from 2.5 million in 1880 to over 10 million by 1920, indicative of the major societal transformation driven by industrialization.
Technological advancements revolutionized numerous industries, from agriculture with inventions like the mechanized seed drill and cotton gin, to transportation with the advent of the steam engine. These innovations facilitated the move to factory-based production systems, such as assembly lines, which increased efficiency and production speeds, leading to mass production and the rise of urban centers.