02.01 Regions Chart and Written Response
The Second Industrial Revolution affected the regions of the United States differently. Use this
chart to compare the effects of the revolution on the North, South, West, and Midwest. In the
chart, you will identify the political, social, economic, population, and transportation changes
that the revolution brought to each region.
Part 1 – Complete the following chart using information from the lesson.
Regions Chart
Category
Political
Social
North
People formed
labor unions so
they could get
higher wages and
working
conditions.
Wealthy
entrepreneurs
wanted to
increase profits.
Wealthy
entrepreneurs
wanted to
increase profits.
Workers wanted
better wages and
working
conditions. Labor
unions formed
first in the
Northeast.
Miners and
steelworkers
were some of the
first workers to
use the strike as a
bargaining tool
against business
owners.
South
West
Midwest
Social
Reform
movements
rised in Ohio
and Illinois.
Framers also
became
politically
involved.
This is both
social and
political.
Social
Reform
movements
rised in Ohio
and Illinois.
Framers also
became
politically
involved.
This is both
social and
political.
Economic or
Type of
Economy
Remained the
leading industrial
region. Produced
more than 8%%
of the United
States’ industrial
products.
The South began
developing a
timber industry.
Coal and iron
deposits in the
southern
Appalachian
Mountains gave
rise to steel
production in
Birmingham,
Alabama.
The economy
continued to rely
on natural
resources.
Population
Change
The population
grew because
workers were
needed and this
is where
immigrants
would come to
work.
Laws that allowed
segregation and
discrimination
made it hard for
southern African
Americans to
enjoy the
improved
transportation of
the Second
Industrial
Revolution. Many
African Americans
left the South to
work in new
factories in the
North and
Midwest. There
they had a better
chance of earning
good wages and
improving their
economic and
social standing.
Immigrants from
China arrived in
the West looking
for jobs on the
expanding
railroads. They
were very willing
to get jobs.
Transportation
Railroads were
built. These
railroads caused
a number of
supporting
industries.
The completion of
the
Transcontinental
Railroad in 1869
linked the coasts of
United States.
Railways
transported
natural resources
like timber and
There was a
gap between
rich and
poor.
Chicago
benefitted
from the
developing
railways
because it
became the
gateway of
the East and
West.
gold from the West
to the East.
Part 2 – Respond to the following prompt in a well-developed paragraph of your
own words. Be sure to include social, political and economic factors in your
response and fully address all parts of the prompt.
Explain how the Second Industrial Revolution affected the North, South, West, and Midwest.
Which region would you have preferred to live in during this period? Why
The Second Industrial Revolution affected the United states many ways. There was better
transportation and technology. But there was also more labor and the labor became unsafe and
unsanitary. There was also Labor Unions and other groups that would help with social and
political issues. I think if I would want to live in a region in this time period, I would want to
live in the West. The West had many very good natural resources. The West probably also had
better sanitation when it came to living because the North was very packed and had unsanitary
living.