Social Impact of the Industrial Revolution A Chapter 19, Section 3 Production

What did the Revolution do? The Industrial Revolution brought great riches to those who put it in motion (the entrepreneurs). However, the revolution also brought high poverty rates and harsh living conditions for others. Everyone will agree that the industrial revolution brought many benefits that still effect us today…. But we are left to ask….was it worth the struggle it put the masses through for the world we have today?

People Move to New Industrial Cities The revolution brought rapid urbanization The movement of people to cities (this is what happened to your villages) Several factors caused people to move quickly: Changes in farming Population growth Demand for factory workers

Manchester-A Good Example The city of Manchester had a population of 17,000 in 1750. The industrial boom transformed this city into the center of the textile industry. The population grew to 40,000 by 1780 70,000 by 1801 Is this near a transformation that you experienced in your villages? Manchester transformed from a quiet smaller town into a town covered in a “cloud of coal vapor” Also, it was filled with the noise pollution of steam engines And a Stinky river

London-Another Example

New Social Classes Emerge The industrial revolution created a new “middle class.” They operated factories, mines and railroads They also had a more “comfortable” lifestyle than the working class Those who moved to the cities had a more difficult time: Many felt lost and bewildered Many faced tough working conditions Despite these problems, they were able to form their own sense of community.

The Industrial Middle Class This middle class was also referred to as the “bourgeoisie” They were as diverse as the French Bourgeoisie: Merchants Skilled Artisans Many inventors This B class was more open to those who found a rags to riches story.

The Daily Life of the Middle Class The middle class lived in large spacious homes and had their own supply of water. Some had sympathy for the poor, but many believed they could work to get ahead. Women did not leave the home, they stayed at home to raise their children. This is different from the wealthy who had servants to care for children. And the working class whose children were part of the workforce.

The Industrial Working Class The working class had crappy lives. They lived in foul-smelling slums They lived in tenements Multistory buildings divided into apartments These had no running water, just community pumps. No sewage or sanitation systems. This meant garbage rotted in the streets. Sewage was also dumped into the rivers and streams Sewage in the water? This made the water stinky and it became labeled as contaminated Full of bacteria or disease, which spread things like cholera.

An Attempt to Make Things Safer The working class began to take chances to change their own situation. Many looked to labor unions for change Workers organizations These unions were illegal but existed in secret.

The Goal of Unions? Unions attempted to make the following changes: Pay Increases Shorter Work Days Safer Conditions etc. The unions had no political power, and often turned to violence in attempts to create change.

One Famous Riot The first riots happened from 1811-1813. One notable riot was caused by the Luddites. They were textile workers that hated the machines that were taking away their jobs. They would operate at night, and destroy machines with sledgehammers and burn factories to the ground Many individuals throughout the working class supported the Luddites.

What were they so mad about? Here is a short list of conditions workers faced in factories: 12 to 16 hour days 6-7 Day work weeks Nearly no breaks (had to have owner’s permission) Machines with no safety devices Exhaustion lead to several accidents Lost fingers, limbs, or even lives Poor air quality (lint) that filled lungs. If you refused to work due to illness or injury, you were fired.

It was Worse for Women Factory owners preferred to higher women because they thought they would adapt easier to machinery and were easier to boss around. They also could pay women half of what they would pay men Women still had the home life to worry about. What struggles do you think women would face at home after working a 12 hour day?

The One Place that was Worse? Coalmines! Although miners were paid more than factory workers, they had to endure worse conditions. Small, Dark tunnels. The air was filled with coal dust (worse than lint) Also, the everpresent danger of explosions, flooding, and collapsing tunnels.

But what about the children? First of all, almost none of you would be in this classroom right now. Children started working around 7-8 They would change spools in textile mills Crawl under and repair machines Open and close air vents in coal mines Haul coal carts These children were expected to work the hardest jobs, longest hours, and therefore toughest days… So there was pressure for change.

Factory Acts In the early 1800’s laws labeled the “factory acts” did the following: Work hours for children were limited to 12 hours Children under 9 could not work in the cotton mills. These laws were not thoroughly enforced. British lawmakers formed inspector teams to randomly check in on mills and mines to ensure compliance These acts set the groundwork for later laws in the 1830’s-1840’s.

An Excellent Summary Despite the social problems created by the Industrial Revolution—low pay, dismal living conditions—the Industrial Age did have some positive effects. As demand for mass-produced goods grew, new factories opened, which in turn created more jobs. Wages rose so that workers had enough left after paying rent and buying food to buy a newspaper or visit a music hall. As the cost of railroad travel fell, people could visit family in other towns. Horizons widened and opportunities increased.

Your Question? Why was the industrial revolution seen as both a blessing and a curse? Do you think all of the social costs and problems are outweighed by the benefits brought forth by industrialization?