Living Conditions During The Industrial Revolution
The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on Living Conditions
The Industrial Revolution was a period filled with drastic social and economic changes. The transformation between hand-made tools and goods to machine-manufactured products changed not only the economy, but also the lives of the workers. The first changes began in Great Britain in the 1780’s and spread across Europe and North America by the 19th century leaving a profound effect on the entire world. The Industrial Revolution effected every aspect of human society including the nature of work, child labor, and health conditions of the workers. Agriculture was a dominant job for workers before the Industrial Revolution. Sebastian Le Prestre Vauban listed many typical jobs including …show more content…
In contrast to the pre-industrial task-based system, factory work was clock-based. This is one of the most radical changes seen in the lives of workers. People were used to completing work when necessary, and being able to take time for meals and bathroom breaks. In “Rules for Workers in the Foundry and Engineering Works of Royal Overseas Trading Company, Berlin”, a document laying out regulations for factory work, “…working day begins at all seasons at 6 a.m. precisely…” and continues on util late evening (Wiesner 161). Small breaks were scheduled for meals, but conversing and extra breaks were not allowed. This was a complete change in lifestyle for workers who were used to taking off holidays and “holy Mondays” after a Sunday of heavy drinking. The strict regulations made sure the work was done as quickly and efficiently as …show more content…
Women and children were not left exempt from the hard days in the factory. The strength of the men were used for hard work, while the nimble and small handed women and children were designated to tedious jobs. In a “Report of the Sadler Committee”, William Cooper claimed he started working in a flax mill at “…about 10 years of age” (Wiesner 165). This document interrogates William Cooper over several areas of factory work and shows how children were utilized in the factories. Cooper explains how him and his sister were “strapped with leather” to keep them awake and working (Wiesner 167). Unlike pre-industrial labor, children were considered full time workers during the
The Industrial Revolution was a period filled with drastic social and economic changes. The transformation between hand-made tools and goods to machine-manufactured products changed not only the economy, but also the lives of the workers. The first changes began in Great Britain in the 1780’s and spread across Europe and North America by the 19th century leaving a profound effect on the entire world. The Industrial Revolution effected every aspect of human society including the nature of work, child labor, and health conditions of the workers. Agriculture was a dominant job for workers before the Industrial Revolution. Sebastian Le Prestre Vauban listed many typical jobs including …show more content…
In contrast to the pre-industrial task-based system, factory work was clock-based. This is one of the most radical changes seen in the lives of workers. People were used to completing work when necessary, and being able to take time for meals and bathroom breaks. In “Rules for Workers in the Foundry and Engineering Works of Royal Overseas Trading Company, Berlin”, a document laying out regulations for factory work, “…working day begins at all seasons at 6 a.m. precisely…” and continues on util late evening (Wiesner 161). Small breaks were scheduled for meals, but conversing and extra breaks were not allowed. This was a complete change in lifestyle for workers who were used to taking off holidays and “holy Mondays” after a Sunday of heavy drinking. The strict regulations made sure the work was done as quickly and efficiently as …show more content…
Women and children were not left exempt from the hard days in the factory. The strength of the men were used for hard work, while the nimble and small handed women and children were designated to tedious jobs. In a “Report of the Sadler Committee”, William Cooper claimed he started working in a flax mill at “…about 10 years of age” (Wiesner 165). This document interrogates William Cooper over several areas of factory work and shows how children were utilized in the factories. Cooper explains how him and his sister were “strapped with leather” to keep them awake and working (Wiesner 167). Unlike pre-industrial labor, children were considered full time workers during the