Industrialization and the Workers Adult Labor, and Child Labor in the 19 th century

What do we already know? “Robber Barons” and “Captains of Industry” expanded their businesses and made millions “Robber Barons” and “Captains of Industry” expanded their businesses and made millions Competition within Industries suffered Competition within Industries suffered Consolidation allowed strong companies to become even stronger Consolidation allowed strong companies to become even stronger Social Darwinism Social Darwinism Workers were often exploited by the owners of businesses Workers were often exploited by the owners of businesses

New labor flocks to cities 14 million new immigrants arrive in the United States 14 million new immigrants arrive in the United States 8 – 9 million rural Americans move into American cities 8 – 9 million rural Americans move into American cities These People would become known as the “Working Class” These People would become known as the “Working Class” Why did these people want to leave their homes for the cities? Why did these people want to leave their homes for the cities? What type of person was most likely to move? What type of person was most likely to move?

Shifts in U.S. Labor Force

Factory Work and Working Conditions As we learned before workers could be treated harshly at work Questions to think about: Why did they put up with it? What is the connection between the economy and labor practice?

Average Factory Life for a Worker NO limits on work day/ 6 days a week- 10+ hours a day NO limits on work day/ 6 days a week- 10+ hours a day NO minimum wage/ Average wage was about $1 a day NO minimum wage/ Average wage was about $1 a day Division of labor and the Assembly Line made work boring Division of labor and the Assembly Line made work boring No Skills were needed for work No Skills were needed for work Piecework- being paid for how much you produce Piecework- being paid for how much you produce Very Strict Discipline Very Strict Discipline

Dangerous Conditions Poor often dangerous working conditions (675 killed/week) Poor often dangerous working conditions (675 killed/week) No government intervention = No safety Guidelines No government intervention = No safety Guidelines  No safety devices  No Workmen’s Compensation  Toxic gases  Spread of Disease (Sweatshops)

Changes to American Industry that effected the workers BEFORE People worked at their own pace People worked at their own pace People knew entire trades People knew entire trades Workers were paid based on their trade Workers were paid based on their trade Not dominated by starting and stopping times Not dominated by starting and stopping times AFTER Piecework and the assembly line forced people to work faster Division on labor Unskilled labor was cheap Clocking in and out dominated worker’s lives

The New labor and Families Wages were so low the whole family needed to work to support the family Wages were so low the whole family needed to work to support the family Children left school at Children left school at Children earned less then adults, but were expected to produce just as much Children earned less then adults, but were expected to produce just as much No help from the government No help from the government Charities were overwhelmed Charities were overwhelmed Why did society allow these conditions to exist? Why did society allow these conditions to exist?

Child Labor In 1880 the need for child workers was so great 5% of the workforce were children Work was even more dangerous for growing children Used for “small” jobs Mining, sewing, and cleaning industrial machinery were common jobs for children

Living in the Big City After working 10+ hours a day 6 days a week and earning an average of $6 a week, workers lived in Tenements After working 10+ hours a day 6 days a week and earning an average of $6 a week, workers lived in Tenements Tenements Tenements  4-6 stories  1 room for the entire family  Windows?  Disease and Fire

2 nd look at all the questions Why did these people want to leave their homes for the cities? Why did these people want to leave their homes for the cities? What type of person was most likely to move? What type of person was most likely to move? What is the connection between the economy and labor practices? What is the connection between the economy and labor practices? Why did workers put up with it? Why did workers put up with it? Why did society allow these conditions to exist? Why did society allow these conditions to exist? Why were children necessary in a way to the workforce and the economy? Why were children necessary in a way to the workforce and the economy?