Industrialization Looking closer at the working conditions

Industrialization Many people were making a low wage, and they had to work very hard to earn itMany people were making a low wage, and they had to work very hard to earn it Working conditions were harsh and unsafeWorking conditions were harsh and unsafe Many worked 60 hour weeks on specialized machinery in unhealthy conditionsMany worked 60 hour weeks on specialized machinery in unhealthy conditions

Industrialization During the late 1800s, men, women, and children went to the factoriesDuring the late 1800s, men, women, and children went to the factories Many workers could be fired at any time for an accident or trying to be a part of a labor union and some died on the job from the brutal conditionsMany workers could be fired at any time for an accident or trying to be a part of a labor union and some died on the job from the brutal conditions

Industrialization Children as young as 7 or 8 would go to work in a factory for up to 14 hours at a time for as little as 60 cents a day for 6 days a week because they had to make moneyChildren as young as 7 or 8 would go to work in a factory for up to 14 hours at a time for as little as 60 cents a day for 6 days a week because they had to make money The gov’t did not want to get involved as they wanted big business to grow. They followed a policy known as Laissez-Faire: Non Interference. They let the abuses continue in the factories.The gov’t did not want to get involved as they wanted big business to grow. They followed a policy known as Laissez-Faire: Non Interference. They let the abuses continue in the factories.

Industrialization Despite these horrible conditions, many immigrants came to the United States looking to work in these factoriesDespite these horrible conditions, many immigrants came to the United States looking to work in these factories Immigrants came to the U.S. to escape hunger, poverty, and a corrupt governmentImmigrants came to the U.S. to escape hunger, poverty, and a corrupt government The 1880s saw half a million immigrants arrive in the U.S. every yearThe 1880s saw half a million immigrants arrive in the U.S. every year

Industrialization With an endless supply of workers, factories kept hiring these immigrants to work for themWith an endless supply of workers, factories kept hiring these immigrants to work for them

Industrialization

Industrialization Labor Union: Workers organized as a group to seek higher wages, improve working conditions, and obtain other benefitsLabor Union: Workers organized as a group to seek higher wages, improve working conditions, and obtain other benefits More workers became interested in unionsMore workers became interested in unions

Industrialization Knights of Labor (1869): A labor union that welcomed all workers and fought for an 8 hour workday and an end to child laborKnights of Labor (1869): A labor union that welcomed all workers and fought for an 8 hour workday and an end to child labor American Federation of Labor (1886): Fought for immediate goals such as better wages and working conditions, and shorter hoursAmerican Federation of Labor (1886): Fought for immediate goals such as better wages and working conditions, and shorter hours

Industrialization What happened when the labor union couldn’t get results?What happened when the labor union couldn’t get results? Workers went on strike! They stopped workingWorkers went on strike! They stopped working Sometimes they worked, but often they ended in violence and sometimes deathSometimes they worked, but often they ended in violence and sometimes death

Industrialization Who were these great business owners?Who were these great business owners? Andrew Carnegie: SteelmakerAndrew Carnegie: Steelmaker John Rockefeller: Oil RefiningJohn Rockefeller: Oil Refining J.P. Morgan: BankingJ.P. Morgan: Banking Henry Ford: Automobiles (assembly line)Henry Ford: Automobiles (assembly line)