Social Impact of the Industrial Revolution

1. Social Impact of the Industrial Revolution A Chapter 19, Section 3 Production

2. What did the Revolution do? • The Industrial Revolution brought great riches to those who put it in motion (the entrepreneurs). • However, the revolution also brought high poverty rates and harsh living conditions for others. • Everyone will agree that the industrial revolution brought many benefits that still effect us today…. • But we are left to ask….was it worth the struggle it put the masses through for the world we have today?

3. People Move to New Industrial Cities • The revolution brought rapid urbanization • The movement of people to cities • (this is what happened to your villages) • Several factors caused people to move quickly: • Changes in farming • Population growth • Demand for factory workers

4. Manchester-A Good Example • The city of Manchester had a population of 17,000 in 1750. • The industrial boom transformed this city into the center of the textile industry. • The population grew to 40,000 by 1780 • 70,000 by 1801 • Is this near a transformation that you experienced in your villages? • Manchester transformed from a quiet smaller town into a town covered in a “cloud of coal vapor” • Also, it was filled with the noise pollution of steam engines • And a Stinky river

5. London-Another Example

6. New Social Classes Emerge • The industrial revolution created a new “middle class.” • They operated factories, mines and railroads • They also had a more “comfortable” lifestyle than the working class • Those who moved to the cities had a more difficult time: • Many felt lost and bewildered • Many faced tough working conditions • Despite these problems, they were able to form their own sense of community.

7. The Industrial Middle Class • This middle class was also referred to as the “bourgeoisie” • They were as diverse as the French Bourgeoisie: • Merchants • Skilled Artisans • Many inventors • This B class was more open to those who found a rags to riches story.

8. The Daily Life of the Middle Class • The middle class lived in large spacious homes and had their own supply of water. • Some had sympathy for the poor, but many believed they could work to get ahead. • Women did not leave the home, they stayed at home to raise their children. • This is different from the wealthy who had servants to care for children. • And the working class whose children were part of the workforce.

9. The Industrial Working Class • The working class had crappy lives. • They lived in foul-smelling slums • They lived in tenements • Multistory buildings divided into apartments • These had no running water, just community pumps. • No sewage or sanitation systems. • This meant garbage rotted in the streets. • Sewage was also dumped into the rivers and streams • Sewage in the water? • This made the water stinky and it became labeled as contaminated • Full of bacteria or disease, which spread things like cholera.

10. An Attempt to Make Things Safer • The working class began to take chances to change their own situation. • Many looked to labor unionsfor change • Workers organizations • These unions were illegal but existed in secret.

11. The Goal of Unions? • Unions attempted to make the following changes: • Pay Increases • Shorter Work Days • Safer Conditions etc. • The unions had no political power, and often turned to violence in attempts to create change.

12. One Famous Riot • The first riots happened from 1811-1813. • One notable riot was caused by the Luddites. • They were textile workers that hated the machines that were taking away their jobs. • They would operate at night, and destroy machines with sledgehammers and burn factories to the ground • Many individuals throughout the working class supported the Luddites.

13. What were they so mad about? • Here is a short list of conditions workers faced in factories: • 12 to 16 hour days • 6-7 Day work weeks • Nearly no breaks (had to have owner’s permission) • Machines with no safety devices • Exhaustion lead to several accidents • Lost fingers, limbs, or even lives • Poor air quality (lint) that filled lungs. • If you refused to work due to illness or injury, you were fired.

14. It was Worse for Women • Factory owners preferred to higher women because they thought they would adapt easier to machinery and were easier to boss around. • They also could pay women half of what they would pay men • Women still had the home life to worry about. • What struggles do you think women would face at home after working a 12 hour day?

15. The One Place that was Worse? • Coalmines! • Although miners were paid more than factory workers, they had to endure worse conditions. • Small, Dark tunnels. • The air was filled with coal dust (worse than lint) • Also, the everpresent danger of explosions, flooding, and collapsing tunnels.

16. But what about the children? • First of all, almost none of you would be in this classroom right now. • Children started working around 7-8 • They would change spools in textile mills • Crawl under and repair machines • Open and close air vents in coal mines • Haul coal carts • These children were expected to work the hardest jobs, longest hours, and therefore toughest days… • So there was pressure for change.

17. Factory Acts • In the early 1800’s laws labeled the “factory acts” did the following: • Work hours for children were limited to 12 hours • Children under 9 could not work in the cotton mills. • These laws were not thoroughly enforced. • British lawmakers formed inspector teams to randomly check in on mills and mines to ensure compliance • These acts set the groundwork for later laws in the 1830’s-1840’s.

18. An Excellent Summary • Despite the social problems created by the Industrial Revolution—low pay, dismal living conditions—the Industrial Age did have some positive effects. As demand for mass-produced goods grew, new factories opened, which in turn created more jobs. Wages rose so that workers had enough left after paying rent and buying food to buy a newspaper or visit a music hall. As the cost of railroad travel fell, people could visit family in other towns. Horizons widened and opportunities increased.

19. Your Question? • Why was the industrial revolution seen as both a blessing and a curse? • Do you think all of the social costs and problems are outweighed by the benefits brought forth by industrialization?