The Impact of the Industrial Revolution

Urbanization Urbanization increased dramatically:   The increase in population and enclosure of farms forced people to move to cities   Poor families lived in poorly constructed apartments built by factory owners called tenements in neighborhoods called slums   Many families shared cramped apartments that lacked running water or sanitation   Hard factory jobs and disease led to short life expectancies for urban workers

Urbanization

Working Conditions and Wages

The factory system was a major change for European workers:   Factory work became less skilled   Factory conditions were dirty, dangerous, and unhealthy   Workers worked long hours (12-16 hr day)   Factory workers were not paid well; Women & children were paid less than men   Owners required workers “clock in” & limited their breaks to increase production

Child Labor The Industrial Revolution changed the lives of many children:   Rather than working for their parents on family farms, many children in the cities worked in factories, brickyards, or mines   Living in cities was expensive so poor families needed their kids to work   Child workers earned 10% of an adult wage, worked long hours in dangerous conditions, were often beaten

Child Labor

Changing Role of Women

The Industrial Revolution changed the lives of many women:   Rather than working with their husbands on family farms and taking care of children, poor women in cities worked in factories   Some women worked as domestic servants   Factory jobs for women required long hours away from their children and could leave women crippled, sick, or deformed   Women were paid ½ or ⅓ of a man’s salary

Changing Class Structure

During the Industrial Revolution, the social class system changed as ownership of land stopped being the most important factor:   At the top were the industrial capitalists who gained wealth by owning factories   The middle class grew because of growth of engineers, managers, shopkeepers   The bottom class grew because of the size of the urban poor who worked for low wages in factories

Response to Changes of the Industrial Revolution - Laws Demand for reforms to fix problems caused by the Industrial Revolution In mid-1800s, Britain & U.S. passed child & women labor laws Limited hours & type of work they could perform Reformers regulated Water, food, sewage Offered public education Regulated living & working conditions

Response to the Changes of the Industrial Revolution - Unions Workers joined unions Demands: Better pay Fewer hours Safer work conditions Went on strike when union demands were not met

Response to the Changes of the Industrial Revolution - Capitalism Economy of the Industrial Revolution based on capitalism Emerging economist was Adam Smith Believed in free market Competition Profits Supply & demand Promoted laissez-faire principles for government Avoid heavy taxes No regulations No interference in business

Response to the Changes of the Industrial Revolution - Socialism Some believed capitalism was the reason for the growing gap between the rich and poor Socialists believed the government should plan the economy by controlling: Factories Farms Railroads Mines, & industries Socialism would create equality & end poverty Redistribute wealth from rich capitalists to the poor workers

Response to the Changes of the Industrial Revolution - Marxism Karl Marx introduced a radical form of socialism called communism Marx & Friedrich Engels wrote The Communist Manifesto Predicted war between the “haves” & “have nots” Encouraged economic equality for all by: Overthrowing business owners Seize control of factories Distribute goods evenly

Capitalism vs. Socialism

Historical Perspective Imagine you are one of the following people from the Industrial Revolution:Imagine you are one of the following people from the Industrial Revolution: –Factory worker –Shop owner –Factory owner –Unemployed artisan/craftsman –Farmer –Banker Which economic system would you prefer and why?Which economic system would you prefer and why? Which system is more prevalent today?Which system is more prevalent today?

Stereotype of the Factory Owner

“Upstairs”/“Downstairs” Life

Evidence of Textile Workers in Wilson's Mill, Nottingham Mrs. Smith: "I have three children working in Wilson's mill; one 11, one 13, and the other 14. They work regular hours there. We don't complain. If they go to drop the hours, I don't know what poor people will do. We have hard work to live as it is....My husband is of the same mind about it...last summer my husband was 6 weeks ill; we pledged almost all our things to live; the things are not all out of pawn yet....We complain of nothing but short wages...My children have been in the mill three years. I have no complaint to make of their being beaten...I would rather they were beaten than fined." Hannah Goode: "I work at Mr. Wilson's mill. I think the youngest child is about 7. I daresay there are 20 under 9 years. It is about half past five by our clock at home when we go in....We come out at seven by the mill. We never stop to take our meals, except at dinner. William Crookes is overlooker in our room. He is cross- tempered sometimes. He does not beat me; he beats the little children if they do not do their work right....I have sometimes seen the little children drop asleep or so, but not lately. If they are catched asleep they get the strap. They are always very tired at night....I can read a little; I can't write. I used to go to school before I went to the mill; I have since I am sixteen."

Factory Wages in Lancashire, 1830 Age of Worker Male Wages Female Wages under 11 2s 3d. 2s. 4d s. 1d. 4s. 3d s. 2d. 7s. 3d s. 2d. 8s. 5d s. 4d. 8s. 7d s. 8d. 8s. 9d s. 7d. 9s. 8d s. 3d. 9s. 3d s. 7d. 8s. 10d s. 4d. 8s. 4d s. 6d. 6s. 4d.

Industrial Staffordshire

The New Industrial City

Early-19c London by Gustave Dore

Worker Housing in Manchester

Factory Workers at Home

Workers Housing in Newcastle Today

The Life of the New Urban Poor: A Dickensian Nightmare!

Private Charities: Soup Kitchens

Private Charities: The “Lady Bountifuls”

QUESTIONS 1. 1.What do you think happened to younger children when the family was away at work in mills? 2. 2.What might be different about work done at home compared to work in the factory? 3. 3.Why did some workers oppose the imposition of laws restricting women and children's work?