Industrial Revolution - Responses

Responses to Industrial Revolution In the early 1800s, a group called the Luddites protested changes to the economy brought about by the Industrial Revolution. With the creation of new technologies, skilled workers were losing their jobs and wages were shrinking.

Luddites The accumulation of wealth was more important to the factory owners than equality and providing employment to the working class.

Luddites Factories and businesses were designed to facilitate industrial processes, and workers were viewed as a component of production. If the people could be replaced by machines that operated cheaper and faster, the factory owners would do it.

Luddites By the early 19th Century, skilled textile workers were being replaced by machines operated by cheap, relatively unskilled labourers. The replaced workers formed a protest movement led by Ned Ludd. First person believed to have destroyed industrial machinery.

Luddites Formed “Army of Redressers”. Broke into factories and destroyed over 200 of the machines that would make their labour redundant and threaten their employment. First attacks occurred in Notingham and the movement of “Luddism” spread across the textile industry.

Luddites The government responded by declaring machine-breaking a capital offence; punishable by death.

Improving Conditions for the Working Class Industrialization led to great change and innovation in society, as well as a dramatic increase in the gap between the people who were rich and those who were poor. Many people viewed this as unfair. Many sought to improve the conditions of the working class people.

Improving Conditions for the Working Class Eventually the government intervened and passed a number of acts in the 19th century. Increase minimum wage Shortened working day Increased age of child labourers Improve working conditions

Improving Conditions for the Working Class Considering what you know about classical liberalism… Why is this government intervention significant? What does this tell you about how the Industrial Revolution is changing? Capitalism and free market suggested that the government should not intervene... Shows a change.

Improving Conditions for the Working Class Factory Acts A series of laws passed by British Parliament during the 1800s and early 1900s to make better and fairer working conditions. The master of the factory must observe the law. All rooms are to be lime-washed twice a year and duly ventilated. Every child is to be supplied with two suits of clothing. The hours of children are not to exceed 12 hours a day, nor start before 6am and end after 9pm. Children are to be instructed in reading, writing and math.

Improving Conditions for the Working Class As time passed in the 19th century, more restrictions were put in place in terms of working conditions and the extent to which children were allowed to work. Although these acts are from the 1800s, in what ways do they benefit your life today? Better working conditions today.

Labour Unions A group of people who try to improve the working conditions and wages for either a specific group of workers or an entire industry. Strength in numbers. Strikes or work stoppages. During the 1800s and 1900s, some people used labour unions to reduce the negative impacts of laissez-faire capitalism.

Labour Unions Can you think of any popular or well known labour unions? What do you think the role of a labour union is, in terms of the workers? Can labour unions have negative effects on the greater society? To protect workers... Could lead to higher cost of goods, due to higher wages.

Labour Unions Do you agree with the role of labour unions? Student-centered debate.

Increasing Rights and Government Intervention: The Welfare State As time passed, the role of the government became challenged by different groups of people and it changed in many different ways…

Increasing Rights and Government Intervention: The Welfare State A society in which the government plays a large role in providing the needs of the citizens. In a welfare state, government provides many services to the citizens at either a low cost or for free. Healthcare, education, employment insurance, social assistance, etc.)

Increasing Rights and Government Intervention: The Welfare State Consider what you now know about The Welfare State… Which modern countries would be good examples of countries that are Welfare States? USA, Canada, Britain.

Evolution of Individual Rights and Collective Rights In the late 1800s and early 1900s, as a result of citizen action and the development of new legislation that supported the improvement of workers’ living and working conditions, the extension of rights for ALL citizens became a political focus. What citizens do you suppose would be without rights at this time? Women!

Evolution of Individual Rights and Collective Rights Many people, such as women and people with certain ethnic backgrounds, began to question why their political, economic and social freedoms were limited. They began to work towards changing the laws.

Evolution of Individual Rights and Collective Rights Early Feminism During the time of the Industrial Revolution women had very limited rights. But why the mid-1800s, many men and women believed that the ideas of liberty and individual worth should be extended to include women.

Evolution of Individual Rights and Collective Rights The suffrage movement is considered the first wave of feminism. Feminism: the belief in social, political and economic equality of women. The suffrage movement is occurring at the end of the 1800’s and beginning of the 1900’s… Do you think women today have equality with men in terms of social, political an economics? Women still earn only about 70% of the income that men do.

Evolution of Individual Rights and Collective Rights When we look back on history we can often be critical of the views and opinions that people at the time held. (ex. Slavery or Women’s Inequality) With that in mind, what inequalities do you think exist today that future generations might look back upon us and be critical of? Student ideas... Rights of gay’s, rights of the poor, modern slavery, environmental degradation etc.

From Classical to Modern Considering labour unions, the extension of voting rights, creation of government social programs and the recognition of women and other groups… In what ways do you think these things helped the evolution of liberalism? If these are the changes that are causing liberalism to evolve, then what would a modern liberalistic society look like?