1. Industry Changes Work
Production moved from to
and artisans 

2. Farm to Factory
Lowell workforce  almost entirely unmarried farm girls
90% of workers in 1828
80% under age 30
1834 first strike at Lowell
15% pay cut
Spindles and looms had been tripled, but workers only increased 50%
Workers returned, leaders fired
1836 second strike at Lowell
Boarding rates increased = 12.5% pay cut
Twice as many women went on strike
Company fired leaders
Most workers then returned to jobs

3. Workers Seek Better Conditions
1830s and 1840s
1-2% of workers were unionized
Dozens of strikes
Usually for higher wages/shorter workdays
Workers usually lost
Strikebreakers hired
Usually immigrants who had fled even greater poverty

4. Immigration 1830-1860 dramatic increase in immigration
Largest groups were
 Midwest
 eastern cities
Faced discrimination