7.3 Social Impact of the Industrial Revolution

Workers Stage Futile Protests

Labor unions, although illegal, existed in secret. Frustrated workers wished to impose reforms, but with little political power, were unable to. This led to violence and riots from 1811 to 1813. Textile workers, or luddites, resisted labors, and smashed machines at night wearing masks. this gained widespread support.

People move to new industrial cities

Rapid urbanization, the movement of people to cities, was very common, due to mass migrations of people due to farming changes (enclosure systems), population growth, and increasing demand for workers. Around coal and iron mines, towns grew into large booming cities. Here, factories grew, and pollution and thick clouds of coal vapor were not uncommon. Noisy steam engines and use of rivers as dump sites for waste contributed to this.

Life in factories and mines

The heart of the revolution was the factory, but technology and the pace of industrialization took its toll on workers.

Results of Industrialization

Although terrible hardships were endured, they eventually won the right to bargain with employers for wages, hours, and conditions (Working class men gained right to vote). Positive effects were: mass produced good grew, jobs increased, wages rose, visited families, opportunities increased

New social classes emerge

During this time, a new middle class and business class emerged. Farm families that had migrated became factory workers. Despite tough working conditions, they formed their own communities.

Industrial middle class

Entrepreneurs benefitted most form the revolution.The middle class, or Bourgeoisie, owned and operated factories, mines, and railroads, and were much more comfortable than working class. This middle class included merchants, inventors, or artisans. They lived in well- furnished homes, with paved roads and supply of water, and ate well and wore fancy clothes. They believed in hard work and determination, and few had sympathy for the poor. Women stayed home to look after children, whereas in the working class, women and children were both in the workforce.

Social Impact

Entrepreneurs gained large riches, but poverty swept those who worked in factories. Reforms were used to curb abuses. Social Classes benefitted from this industrialization, although factory workers suffered unsafe, unsanitary, and overcrowded conditions until reforms.

Children have dangerous jobs

Factories and mines also hired boys and girls, at ages 7 or 8 or younger. They changed spools in hot textile mills, and sometimes could not see for dust, and crawled under machines to repair broken threads. Miners sat in the dark, opening and closing vents and hauling coal in extreme heat. Child labor was accepted bc children worked on farms. Child labor laws were passed in early 1800s. They reduced to 12 hours and no one under 8 or 9. shortened workday for women. Education for children

Factory Workers Face Harsh Conditions

Factory work differed from farm work, it did not depend on a season and workers did not work at their own pace. There were long hours, 12-16 hours a day, 6 or 7 days a week. breaks were only with permission and many suffered accidents, such as losing fingers, limbs, or joints, or even lives. Workers breathed in lint which caused disease in lungs, which caused them to loose their jobs. Women were the majority and were paid half wage, then returned to tenements to cope with kids, injuries and life.

Workers find comfort in religion

Methodism, a religion founded by John Wesley, was influenced by the revolution when people moved to cities and lost touch with religions. This stressed personal sense of faith and to improve yourselves by adopting moral ways. Meeting featured hymns and sermons, and promises of forgiveness of sins and a better life to come. They took salvation to the slums and tried to rekindle hope with Sunday school to learn to read and write the bible and channel anger towards reform.

Industrial Working Class

The industrial working class lived in foul smelling slums, in tenements, or multistory buildings divided into apartments, with no running water but community pumps and no sewage systems, which led to sewage and garbage in streets and rivers (contaminated drinking water). Spread of diseases was common (Cholera).

Miners face worse conditions

an increased demand for iron and coal lead to an increased demand for miners. although paid more, conditions were worse. they worked in darkness, and suffered coal damage to lungs. There were always dangers of explosions, floods, and collapsing tunnels. Women and children carted heavy materials through low passages and up ladders often.