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U.S. Industrialization
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- What was his occupation? What about the occupations of other family members? Did he do farm work or hand crafts such as furniture making or shoe making? With the spread of factories, did his occupation change? Did his skills become obsolete?
- At this point in time, more and more people began living in cities and towns instead of in rural areas. Where did he live? In a city or in the country? Was it away from the family home?
- Did he ever work in any of the big factories? What did the factory make? What was his job? What were the working conditions like?
- During this period, the number of working railroads grew dramatically. Was his lifestyle affected by this change? Was his family able to get goods much more quickly? Did they have access to more goods? Did they travel at all?
- Railroad companies had the power of eminent domain, meaning they could force people to sell their land at a certain price and then build the railroad on it. Did he or his family encounter this? What happened?
- Many people began purchasing factory-made goods at this point in time, instead of making things at home. Did he do this? Did he purchase furniture or pre-made clothing? What about packaged food? Did this make his life easier?
- Large corporations were created during the period of industrialization. Was he involved in this movement? Did he start a large business? Did he work for a corporation?
- Many people resented big business because they felt that it had too much power. Did he make his opinions known on this subject? Did he have any good or bad experiences with corporations? What did he think of the anti-trust movement?
- Unions gained popularity during this period. Did he join one? Why or why not? Did he ever participate in a strike?
- Department and chain stores also came into existence during the period of industrialization. Did he ever go to one? Did the chain stores put any small family stores that he owned or shopped in out of business?
- How did he feel about the industrialization of the United States? Did he like the new style of businesses and cities that were cropping up? Would he have preferred that the country remain a nation of farmers and small businesses?
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