Over the decades, America has experienced many changes in technology, social norms, fashion, and education, but no era proved ripe for as many changes as the era of the second revolutionary period. The Second Industrial Revolution changed America in countless ways and is one of the main reasons why America is what it is today. Thanks to the Second Industrial Revolution, we were able to invent billions of new things that led us to the technology we all know and love. The Second Industrial Revolution brought many changes to America, as evidenced by social progress, inventions, and the workforce. Immigrants play an important role in the social changes and progress made during the Second Industrial Revolution that improved and sculpted our country. The American population increased significantly between 1865 and 1900 due to immigration (Brinkley 454.) Most immigrants to America during the 1880s came from Southern and Eastern European countries to find freedom and a better life for their families (Brinkley 454.) Acceptance of Immigrants in America The Second Industrial Revolution made our country the cultural melting pot that it is today. The Second Industrial Revolution began immediately after the failure of Reconstruction, while the American population still struggled to view others as equals, the era of The Second Industrial Revolution fortunately brought some changes to predigestive society and created a more tolerant America. During this period the Homestead Act was passed, this law allowed immigrants to purchase plots of land for a small fee, creating jobs, housing, the ability to grow food and becoming a part of the American economy (Brinkley 407). American public schools began excluding children of immigrants middle of paper... and made our country what it is today. Stephen Gardiner once said: “The Industrial Revolution was another of those extraordinary advances in the history of civilization. » Where do you think we would be without the changes of the Second Industrial Revolution? Works Cited Brinkley, Alan. The unfinished nation. 6th ed. Flight. 2. Np: McGraw-Hill Humanities Social, 2006. Print. A Concise History of the American People Chappine, Patricia. “The second industrial revolution: chronology and inventions.” Education-portal.com. Education-portal.com, nd Web. March 28, 2014. “Internet History Sourcebooks.” » Internet History Sourcebooks. Fordham.edu, nd Web. March 28, 2014 Mokyr, Joel. “The Second Industrial Revolution, 1870-1914.” northwest.edu. August 1998. April 4, 2014. http://faculty.wcas.northwestern.edu/~jmokyr/castronovo.pdf