Final answer:
The correct answer is option b) It increased demand for manufactured goods and provided a cheap labor source.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Industrial Revolution was significantly impacted by mass immigration during the mid-1800s. This period saw a considerable influx of immigrants which provided factories with a cheap labor source and increased the demand for manufactured goods. Skilled workers from Britain, along with those fleeing the Irish potato famine and others from Europe and China, were among those who contributed to the industrial workforce in the United States. The presence of these workers meant that there were enough hands to operate the machinery and sustain the pace of industrialization, thereby boosting production capabilities.
The shift from rural to urban living also transformed socio-economic conditions. Many small shops and craft industries were replaced as more people started working in the factories. Despite the low wages and often unsafe working conditions, the Industrial Revolution propelled America's economic growth and facilitated major societal changes within just a century.