AP Euro - The Social Impact of the Industrial Revolution

Population Growth

Rather than higher birthrates, the IR occurred along with lower death rates. Developments in the 18th and 19th centuries allowed for efficient prevention of disease and a higher food supply. Curbing famine and epidemic was beneficial for diminishing the death rate to an extent.

Irish Famine/The Great Hunger

Uncharacteristic of the IR, the Irish actually experienced a famine between 1845-51 due to infected potatoes (which were the main staple of Irish diet). Many died or emigrated, causing decimation of Irish population.

Poor Working Conditions

A combination of physiological and psychological trauma, working conditions during the IR were very poor. Work hours were nonstop to an extent of even 16 hours at times; no minimum wage was set and employment was not secure. Even the actual conditions of the working environment were harsh with extreme temperatures. Mills and coal mines were major perpetrators of these conditions.

Chartism

A failed political movement in the nineteenth century, advocating democracy and universal male suffrage. Their means of protest were peaceful, yet initially unsuccessful. Much later were their points accepted in European society.

Child Labor

Children were generally favorable due to their gentle touch and small size, as well as the cheap wages at which they were hired. However, children were deprived of education and subject to the harsh working conditions of European labor at that time regardless of their age. Eventually, laws were passed during the mid 1800s which allowed children (and women, in most cases) to have some protection in the workplace.

Poor Living Conditions

Cities became more prominent as industrialization and organized labor became more popular in Europe. Overcrowding was a large problem for the working class -- classes were generally segregated in cities to an extent. Prostitution, crime, unsanitary conditions (i.e., sewage), and adulteration of food were rampant in industrial European cities unfortunately.

Trade Unions

Countries in Europe, notably Britain with the Combination Acts, were afraid of associations after the French Revolution occurred; trade unions, on the other hand, were still able to be formed. Trade unions attempted to limit entry into one's trade and gain benefits from workers -- yet only for their own trade. Attempts at organizing massive strikes failed, yet individual trades formed unions to attempt to lobby for more workers' rights.

Industrial Entrepreneurs

Industrial entrepreneurs essentially handled aspects of owning a business that would require an entire team in modern times; motivated by greed and ambition, European entrepreneurs were highly devoted -- as well as highly competitive. However, bankrupksi was common due to the competitiveness; in Manchester, by 1816, all mills but one owned by those who bought it out.

Attempts at Reform

Legislation working toward reforming industrial cities was not common, despite the horrid accounts of observers and investigators. However, in response to threats such as cholera, the government eventually intervened. Eventually, institutions in Europe were created solely devoted to public health, notably Britain's National Board of Health as a part of the Public Health Act.

The Rise of the Bourgeoisie

With industrial capitalism came a new bourgeoisie, unlike the previous status this class had as burghers. The new bourgeois class purchased land and accumulated a degree of wealth, involving themselves in popular professions such as industry, banking, and law.