The Industrial Revolution Hardships of Early Industrial Life

The Rise of Industrial Cities Urbanization- movement of people from the countryside to cities Manchester- 17,000 people in 1750: 70,000 in 1801 The rise of slums- overcrowded poor living in dirt and disease. No running water, sanitation system or garbage removal

The Factory system Rigid discipline- people must work while the engine is working- 16 hr days Danger from machines Breathing hazards from coal dust and cotton lint Sick or injured workers lost their jobs

Women and Labor Women were preferred to men- more easily adaptable to machines, easier to manage than men They could be paid less for the same work

Child Labor Children could work in small spaces Changing spools, climbing through narrow mine shafts Often, orphans were hired to work for food- getting beaten if they didn’t work fast enough

The Working Class Protests and Riots- at first by artisans whose jobs were being taken by machines These protesters were called “Luddites” Luddites were hanged or sent to Australia’s penal colony All attempts at unionizing (organizing) were met with harsh discipline

The Spread of Methodism Founded in mid 1700s by John Wesley Stressed the need for a personal sense of faith Improve life by adopting sober, moral ways Methodism channeled workers’ anger away from Revolution and towards social reform

The New Middle Class Made up of entrepreneurs, artisans, merchants Lived in nice homes, dressed and ate well Opposed to labor unions or factory regulation Valued hard work and “getting ahead”