In the mid-1700s, industrialization gave birth and made Europe grow quicker than it ever had before. With the increase in industrialization and technology, life expectancy and quality of life are expected to go up. The industrial revolution assisted America with expanding its population and creating groundbreaking technological advancements such as coal, the internal-combustion engine, and oil, which allowed for steam engines, automobiles, and lighting. This eventually led to an increase in life and made things easier but with these came poor factory conditions and harsh labor. Factory manufacturers tried to hide and cling to poor labor conditions that workers were forced to work in. Documents 4, 2, and 1 share the idea that the labor conditions …show more content…
An excerpt from The Philosophy of Manufactures published in 1835, by Andrew Ure, a Scottish physician, scholar, and chemist discusses his interactions with kids working in factories. He says he’s never seen chastisement among the children and that they were all cheerful without any signs of fatigue (Doc 2). Document 4 mentions that because of these labors, they are surrounded by many comforts and conveniences such as better-built houses, cheaper clothes, and cheap travel with access to machinery that can take you anywhere, which is true, however, It's important to keep in mind that the sources behind these documents are …show more content…
In an excerpt from Joseph Hebergam’s interview with the Sadler Commission in 1832, they interview a mill worker who speaks up about the harsh conditions that workers are forced to face. The worker had lost his brother to an infection he received when he was cut by a machine, he also said that there were a dozen who had died during the two and half years he was working there (Doc 3). The names of the mills were blanked out due to testimony, but it goes to show how far factories will go to keep these truths under wrap. In a speech made by Lord Ashley to Parliament in June of 1842 following the testimonies of the commission, they investigate a coal mine and interviewed workers. Robert North says they would be beaten if they said anything and the women from ages seven to twenty-one were poorly dressed—almost naked—in only trousers (Doc
There was an abundance of workers, and the items they were producing were being found in homes across the country. Industry was making a lot of money, but due to the number of able workers, these same companies believed that they did not need to treat them well. The workers were putting in ten to twelve hours a day, five and a half, or six days a week (p. 9). The working conditions
Before the days of labor laws and unions, there was a time in which laws were not able to keep up with a rapidly changing industrial economy. As machinery and technology advanced, so did the possible amount of revenue being generated. Unfortunately, this machinery made it so unexperienced workers, such as children and teenagers, could work hours on end creating products. With little legislation in place, these vulnerable workers were exploited in factories and mills. Many individuals, such as Florence Kelley, called for change by creating speeches that would be presented in large conventions and rallies.
Dangerous working conditions were commonly found in U. S. Steel's factories. People would get injured from harmful machinery and get sick from the bad air in circulation, which was ironic, because hid father was part of a union fighting for better working
The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain because of its geographical qualities, new change within their social structure, and economical concepts formed at the time. I will be discussing how Great Britain's many rivers, accessibility to trading with neighboring countries, and multiple territories helped them begin the revolution. As well as, how the addition of one social class, and their big divide between classes influenced the beginning of industrialization. Lastly, I will talk about how economical concepts like mercantilism, capitalism, and communism sparked this new era of the world. So in other words, there are many reasons as to why the Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain.
The working class had no choice but to labor long hours for low wages in conditions that were unregulated and hazardous. Child labor was also very common, so were accidents and death. The United States of Labor site quoted The Factory Inspector, an unofficial journal of the International Association of Factory Inspectors that frequently published accounts collected by state labor bureaus of industrial accidents, that shows how bad these conditions
Document 1 describes the working conditions of British factories. In this excerpt, a testimony is given by a 28-year-old worker who began working in the mills at the age of 10. During that time he would work 16 hours straight with only one 40-minute break for lunch at noon. This left no time for school and resulted in the man being able to read but not write. And at times the children were even whipped to keep them awake.
Before the Industrial Revolution, economies and governments were based on agricultural and artisan crafts. People had to travel slower because the invention of railroads didn't exist at that point, and jobs were harder to obtain as well as maintain. The Industrial revolution provided a surplus of new job opportunities, economic opportunities, faster transportation systems, faster production of items, and new power sources. Between the time of 1750-1900, the Industrial Revolution immensely prompted educational growth (docs 3, 4), economic benefits (docs 1,5,7), and the discovery of new different governing methods (docs 2,6) by states outside of Europe.
My source is reports of inspectors at factories during the industrial revolution, these reports were written in 1863. The inspectors wrote about prosecutions within the factory. I trust this report because I think it is significantly important these prosecutions were made in 1863 during the time period these harsh conditions were being demanded and they were made by people who either witnessed or took part in these actions. This is proving my working thesis considering how the brutal conditions were a negative
There were so many job opportunities, children began to fill in those positions. However, even though there were children working at these factories, the conditions that they had to work in did not get any better. Due to these conditions, there were many serious injuries that were obtained, not only by adults but a large number of children. Not only were they illnesses but they were physical injuries.
That being said, I am also surprised that a change in hours had so much benefit. While clearly, some cutback in hours along with more breaks would allow for better mental and physical health, I am surprised to see that the crippling changed to such an extent that is described by the doctor’s observations in the courtyard around the factory. These pieces also make me glad that we have the legislation that we do in America today. While sometimes the laws seem silly or overkill, they are most defiantly put into place with the best intentions as lawmakers want to prevent harm to workers. So, while it is sad to see the type of working conditions these factory workers had, I am also glad that we can look back on the past and know how workers in modern times should be treated.
The work was also dangerous with not much supervising by the government. Workers, on the other hand, had little or even no bargaining power to leave the unsafe conditions. Nowadays, When Americans only pay attention when extreme work strike, levels of abuse are the norm hidden in the factories around the globe. Although the condition seems much improved, consumers don’t know the true fact- “Today, American citizens simply cannot know the working conditions of the factories that make the products they buy.
Unsafe working conditions plagued next to, if not, all factories during industrialization. Thousands of workers grew ill or suffered injuries as a consequence of their labor, and would yield their jobs, surrendering their source of income. Taken in the early 1900s, “Lewis Hine’s picture depicts two children working on a very dangerous machine” (Document 8). The matter that children were allowed to manage these machines is awful enough, ignoring just how dangerous the machines were. In addition to this, the children did not appear to be well supervised, which made it all too easy for a disastrous injury to occur.
The Industrial Revolution was a horrific time in the 1700s by the fact that it caused bad pollution and children would be worn out at the end of their work day. The greatest aspect of industrialization was that the kids and adults had good surroundings. “Of these there are 500 children who are entirely fed, clothed, and educated by Mr.Dale” (Document 6). The quote is evidence that shows the kids were well cared for.
During the 19th century, machinery made its way into European society. It transformed the lives of European citizens and this period of time was known as the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution enriched Europe 's economy and expanded its wealth; however, this did not come without consequence. While Europe became industrialized, the quality of life diminished. The industrial factories polluted the environment and intoxicated citizens.
There was cotton dust everywhere that was getting into the lungs of the workers causing diseases. The rooms were locked and there were no windows and no water. The machines also had looms which were not meant for the worker’s safety but for the machines to work