Second Industrial Revolution: Innovation and Workers — Reading Comprehension

The Second Industrial Revolution describes the dramatic transformation of industry and society in the United States between about 1870 and 1914. During this period, new inventions, large-scale factories, and powerful corporations changed how people worked and lived. This era followed the first wave of industrial growth and introduced technologies, such as electricity and the telephone, that reshaped daily life.

One important cause of the Second Industrial Revolution was the development of new technologies. The Bessemer process made steel production faster and cheaper, allowing the construction of skyscrapers and bridges. Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb, while Alexander Graham Bell created the telephone. These innovations not only improved communication and transportation but also increased productivity in factories. The growth of the railroad network connected distant regions, making it possible to transport goods and people more efficiently than ever before.

However, this rapid progress brought challenges. Factory owners, known as industrialists, often focused on maximizing profits. As a result, factory workers, including women and children, faced long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions. The following is an excerpt from a letter written by a young factory worker in 1909: "We begin at six in the morning and work until dark, with only a short break." This quote demonstrates the grueling reality for many laborers and highlights the growing concern over workers' rights.

Different groups experienced the Second Industrial Revolution in distinct ways. Business owners celebrated new wealth and economic power. Many workers, on the other hand, struggled with unfair treatment. Immigrants from Europe and Asia were drawn to America by the promise of jobs but often found themselves in crowded tenements and dangerous workplaces. Women and children made up a significant portion of the workforce, raising questions about exploitation and fairness.

In response to harsh conditions, workers began to organize. Labor unions like the American Federation of Labor (AFL) formed to demand better pay, shorter hours, and safer environments. Union members sometimes went on strike, refusing to work until their demands were met. These actions led to conflicts with factory owners and, occasionally, with government authorities. Strikes such as the 1894 Pullman Strike demonstrated both the strength and risks of collective action.

While some Americans viewed industrialists as "captains of industry" who fueled national growth, others saw them as "robber barons" who gained wealth by taking advantage of workers. This contrast reveals a central tension of the era. The federal government sometimes sided with business interests, but growing public awareness and activism eventually led to new laws. Reforms such as child labor restrictions and workplace safety regulations began to improve conditions for workers by the early 20th century.

The Second Industrial Revolution left a lasting legacy. It created new opportunities and raised the standard of living for many. Yet it also exposed deep inequalities and sparked debates about justice, rights, and the role of government. Analyzing this period requires understanding both the remarkable achievements and the serious problems it produced.

Interesting Fact: In 1876, only 50,000 telephones existed in the U.S.—by 1900, there were over 1 million.

When did the Second Industrial Revolution begin?

Who invented the telephone?

What process made steel cheaper?

Why did workers join labor unions?

What did the Pullman Strike show?

How did industrialists view themselves?

The government always supported workers. True or false?

What does 'exploitation' mean?