The Effect Of The Industrial Revolution On The Working Class

Throughout the course of the early 1700s and 1900s the world started to become introduced to the production of machinery. Starting in Europe and expanding into the Americas we today classify this era as the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial revolution put the use of hand tools downward while bringing up the use of factory machines. Factory machines by the late 1800s would soon replace farming with manufacturing at a large scale in the nation. This was seen to be a malificent time, for people from all around the world would be drawn to the Americas. Many came in hopes for a new and better life, but with every opportunity you must be ready to endure the burden. America’s revolution would go as far as impacting the aspects of civilization

Overseers took most of the money earned and kept it for themselves. Any worker who dared go on strike or stand up for thei pay was beaten and tortured. This piece of evidence shows that since the majority of people were part of the working class, they were abused and were arguably better off working hard and receiving most of the fruits of their labor on farms instead of doubling their repetitive work for half of the payoff. Adolf Levenstein, a coal miner living during the Industrial Revolution Reflected in a letter, later collected into the book, From the Depths: Workers Letters, published in 1905, states how, “The work is becoming increasingly mechanical. No more incentive, no more haste, we muddle along wearily, we are worn out and mindless. My forehead burns like fire…. But in my head it rages and paralyzes me beyond control or without my being able to think. When it becomes unbearable I stop my slow, energyless working….And that is not all; the spirit too, the conscience of the individual, degenerates. And one drudge, grown vacuous through his work, is put beside another one, and another one and finally this “modern” circle has closed in on the entire working force” (Levenstein). The work in the mines was tiring and repetitive. Since machines have taken more of the desirable jobs and workers have been laid off, the laborers who are still employed had to work tedious jobs. This letter provides a view into the daily

The industrial revolution had a significant impact upon society and the business world. This impact is keenly felt throughout Bartleby as Herman Melville tries to illustrate the strong sense of tension and dread that manifests during the industrial revolution. The source of these sensations comes from the growing influence of technology. The industrial revolution hailed a plethora of new technology all centered on business, commerce, and productivity. However, with the increasing efficiency of technology, individuals preforming the same tasks are expected to work with the same mechanical efficiency, thus sacrificing humanity within the workplace for efficiency. This aspect of dehumanizing work and tension between humanity and technology is seen throughout Bartleby.

In Document B, which was explained by David A. Wells, an engineer and economist, was informative on how working condition were analogous to a military organization, “in which the individual no longer works as independently as formerly, but as a private in the ranks, obeying orders, keeping step, as it were, to the tap of the drum, and having nothing to say as to the plan of his work, of its final completion, or of its ultimate use and distribution. In short, the people who work in the modern factory are, as a rule, taught to do one thing—to perform one and generally a simple operation; and when there is no more of that kind of work to do, they are in a measure helpless.” (Document B) Which meant that workers at the factory basically don’t hold responsibility to themselves, as workers mainly are only trained to one job, relating to David A. Well theory. Document F sourced by Samuel Gompers, also portrays how the conditions were explaining that there was too many workers trying to fit in one factory place, and poor conditions. This was how union were created, to regain benefits, as well for better working

The Industrial Revolution was a predominantly negative period in history, greatly affecting the lives of the poor working-class. Starting in 1750, rapid urbanization occurred, resulting in the higher and middle-class benefiting; but only because they were rich before it began. The working-class, however, became even more unfortunate as the era went on and were forced to become factory workers or miners. These men, women and children all faced harsh environmental factors, including the new technology of advanced machines and a shift in their family lifestyle.

Although, there was many positive aspects to our country however, all workers faced many struggles that had put their lives in danger throughout each day. The difficulties and struggles grew for workers, “Although factories provided work for many people, most of these jobs paid low wages. They also required people to spend long hours enduring backbreaking labor and poor working conditions. In many factories, both adults and children risked serious inquiry as they worked in tight quarters and operated dangerous machinery” (Industrial Revolution). Factories at the time had its own pros and cons. Workers had been provided with many job opportunities but however, these roles required the willingness to work where everything had been hazardous and easily diseases can be spread. The working conditions had been very cramped not allowing much movement where any worker can face any possible risks provided. Workers had continued to work these hours for the benefit of being able to support themselves with as much wage possibly. Unfortunately, these low wages had caused a requirement of much more heavy hours in order to make a strong living and be able to drift into a new area. Workers had demanded, “...for such basic workplace rights as higher wages, safer conditions, and shorter hours” (A sweatshop during

Europe relied heavily on the working class to support all the changes of the industrial revolution. The working class had an extreme influence on economic, political, and social structures. As the working class continued to grow, changes within politics were being reflected. With all the new changes, a new legislation and government policy was implemented. A variety of minority groups and immigrants made up the working class. Many of which resided in rural homes and were adapting to the modernizations of the city. As business owners tried to cut corners and labor costs to secure their profits, the working class became assertive. The working class rioted and held campaigns for better pay, shorter days, and better working conditions. The working

Throughout the years, science and technology have developed exponentially through the work of several scientists and researchers. By the 1800s, citizens craved comfort and wanted jobs to be done faster. These desires created the Industrial Revolution and the age of mass-production. This prompted new technology and faster ways to save lives. Now, citizens have internet on their phones, GPS tracking systems, and live longer. However, while the Revolution was prosperous in the long run, it deeply affected people during the 1800s. During the Industrial Revolution, people worked strenuously, the emerging middle class could afford to spend more on daily business, and quality of life at home decreased.

From the production of people into cities looking for work, things were so out of order that there was no order in the cities. Unsanitary and unsafe buildings were being built all over the city to house all of the workers. These buildings were known as tenements that they lived in. There were less than adequate education and police protection for the ever-growing population. Many people had to live in shelters due to the lack of housing; many families lived in a single room. Many people died of cholera from the poor living and working conditions. The main goal that factory owners wanted was to keep their production a constant, working for the better part of a day. They came up with interchangeable parts (identical components that could be used in place of one another) that helped with the proletariats (working class). Since the owners wanted to save as much money as possible, the factories (places that brought together workers and machines to produce large quantities of goods) were rarely cleaned or well lit. Also Assembly lines (another method of production, workers on an

Philosophers and politicians held opinions regarding what would happen to society as times began to change during the middle of the nineteenth century. The Second Industrial Revolution proved to be beneficial for society and introduced new technological advancements into the workplace, allowing for greater efficiency in factories. Society moved forward, progressing towards a new advanced industrial and technological era. However, the increased technological advancements and the effects of the Second Industrial Revolution also seemed to increase the gap between the different European classes. The working class found it harder to retain jobs since machines could accomplish tasks more efficiently, putting thousands of people out of work. Communist

Working Conditions and Reforms – How did the Industrial Revolution change working conditions? During the 18th and 19th centuries, a new period called the Industrial Revolution began with societies which used to be mainly agrarian in Europe and America, becoming industrial and urban. It all started in Britain with Sir Richard Arkwright who invented a spinning machine, which led to the rise of the Industrial Revolution. Britain was also the first to experience industrialisation since at the time, there were huge coal and iron ore deposits in Britain which were necessary for industrialisation.

Artisans and factory workers were undergoing a process called proletarianization. It was where an owner would pay a wage and the worker would lose all ownership of production. If the factory ran smoothly, then it would be a better chance that the workers would have a safe workplace, but if that wasn’t the case then the workers may have to work in poor work conditions. Urban artisans

The middle class wanted respect, status and entry into parliament. In historical terms, they were the new warriors and knights that fought in a commercial battlefield and there was no room for sentiment. From this grew the industrial revolution and the broadening of the middle class. Money and new financial institutions were undermining the social and political order. Money was a more efficient way of measuring value in a transaction. In the case of the feudal system where transactions were measured by obligations and service which had to be accepted by the lord with whom the vassal is obligated to. The introduction of money as a medium in a transaction guaranteed the holder a value that was transformed in the purchase of other items that were

As the industrial revolution stroke Europe, it had a huge impact on many countries. Regarding Britain, it was greatly affected by the industrial revolution. Its cities began to expand because of the economic boost and transportation expansion that took place because of industrialization. The economic expansion made the middle-class have more properties and money, allowing them to have higher voices in the political parties. As a result, the new wealthy middle-class began to appear with the ability to change the British political system from being close to dictatorial to more democratic by the enhancement of the parliament. As a consequence of the new political life, the parliament introduced new laws that developed Britain culturally as well.

There is no doubt that the Industrial Revolution plays a central role in the modern British history. The structure of British society has forever changed by the impact and consequences of Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution is often stated as the increase of the number of factories, the exercise of steam power in a wide range of area and the mass-production produced by new technology in the course of 1750 to 1850 (Lane, 1978: 72). Engles (1986: 37) argued that the Industrial Revolution’s mainly development were the invention of the steam engine and the cotton industry. As the improvement of technology, the steam engine could produce more power with less