How did people's lives improve between 1750 and 1900?

People’s lives improved in many ways between 1750 and 1900. One improvement was in the area of transportation. With the development of the steam engine, it became much easier for people to travel and to ship things. People could now travel much quicker over land and on water. The steam engine powered boats that could travel in any directions much easier. The steam engine helped the railroads develop that made land travel easier. These inventions allowed people and products to get places quicker.

Another improvement was in the area of communication. Prior to the development of the telegraph and later the telephone, people had to write letters that could take weeks to reach their destination. With the telegraph, people could send messages much quicker to people throughout the country and the world. With the telephone, people could verbally communicate their messages. These inventions made it much easier to communicate.

Machines made people’s lives much easier. New machines helped the farmers. The mechanical reaper made it easier to harvest grain. The steel-tipped plow made it easier to farm on the Great Plains. The cotton gin made it easier to separate the seeds from the cotton. These inventions helped farmers significantly. The sewing machine made it easier for people to make and to fix clothes. The light bulb made it easier for people to see. These as well as many other inventions made life easier for many people.

Some people’s lives improved because they received more freedoms. People used to have to own property to vote in many states. Eventually, the property requirement to vote was dropped. Political parties replaced caucuses with nominating conventions. This allowed the members of the political party to choose the party’s candidates instead of the party leaders making these choices. African-American males got the right to vote after the Civil War. They were able to elect leaders who could help them improve their living conditions. The ending of slavery gave African-Americans their freedom. Even though life was hard for them after being freed, being free was much better than be enslaved.

Life for many Americans became much easier between 1750-1900. With the advances in technology and industrialization, and with the general growth and expansion of our country, it was reasonable to expect that life would become easier for most people during this period of time.