Ap Euro Ch. 21

Britain enjoyed the significant economic advantages during the early years of the Industrial Revolution for many reasons. The Industrial Revolution built on earlier developments, but took time to progress. It eventually began to help ordinary people in the West to gain a higher standard life of living. Great Britain had more advantages such as natural resources, political stability and favorable geography. According to the textbook, A History of Western Society, “Britain possessed a unique set of possibilities and constraints, such as abundant coal, high wages, a relatively peaceful and centralized government and well developed financial systems…” (622) and the list goes on. Furthermore, agriculture played an important role in the Industrial Revolution in Britain. “English farmers were second only to the Dutch in

Luckily, the conflict was altogether solved when in 1833; Anthony Ashley Cooper took up the cause of factory reform and passed the Factory Act. This made it illegal to employ children under the age of nine, and set a maximum eight-hour day for children between the ages of nine and thirteen. Once this act (along other acts controlling urbanization conditions) was in place, burdens of the Industrial Revolution were not to be seen, and only benefit appears coming out from this revolutionary time period into the modern world.

Throughout history, children have always worked, either as apprentices or servants. However, child labor reached a whole new scale during the time period of the Industrial Revolution. Throughout the time frame of late 1800s-early 1900s, children worked long hours in dangerous factory conditions for very little wages. They were considered useful as laborers because their small stature allowed them to be cramped into smaller spaces, and they could be paid less for their services. Many worked to help support their families, and by doing so, they forwent their education. Numerous nineteenth century reformers and labor groups sought to restrict child labor and to improve working conditions.

Conditions of factories were not safe for anyone, let alone a small child. Due to these conditions many children died before their prime. Many children “began work at age 5, and generally died before they were 25” (www.victorianweb.org), America was beginning to lose an entire generation due to these working conditions that so many had to endure. Children were hired at an alarming rate. “In 1870, the first time census reported child workers, there were 750,000 workers in the United States age 15 and under, not including those who worked on family farms or in other family businesses” (“Child Labor in America”), these numbers were not something that was looked over, it astonished many. “A cotton manufactory of 5 or 6000 spindles will employ those 200 children” (Bremner 232). The workforce would continuously grow, hiring more and more children each day. Factories were good for using children as a means of their productivity. “Textile factories, for the most part […] were in the forefront of this industrial revolution, and children formed an essential component of the new industrial workforce” (Bremner 232). Many times without these children working some of these factories would not have survived through the revolution.

The Industrial Revolution began in Great Britain for several reasons. By the mid-1700's, the country had become the world's leading colonial

In 1833, the Factory Act of 1833 was passed to improve the working conditions for children who labored in factories. A source reveals, “Young children were working very long hours in workplaces where conditions were often terrible,” (Document 10). As this came to the government’s attention, the act was produced by them in an attempt to lessen the abuse of working children, and to treat them more like children. First, the Factory Act limited the hours children could work in factories. The act states, “Children of 9-13 years to work no more than nine hours a day; children of 13-18 years to work no more than 12 hours a day,” (Document 10). Children were also not allowed to work at night. By having working hours reduced, children were able to fit in time to play, sleep, and get an education. It also reduced fatigue, as the children weren’t on their feet as long, and they got in more time to sleep. Secondly, within the act, there was a rule limiting the age children must be to work in factories. No children under the age of nine were allowed to work in the factories,” (Document 10). Although this decreased the amount of money coming in for each family, it allowed the children to get educations, have more free time, and help their

From the perspective of factory workers, the advent of the Industrial Revolution negatively affected the average worker due to the use of child labor and unsafe working

The Industrial Revolution began in England because they had the best natural resources, they had a geographic advantage and they made changes in their agriculture.

Child labor was a major issue at the time especially in factories since children had no voice and labor was cheap. Children would be paid less than adults and less likely to break out in strike. They could also fit in tight spaces. Children were not even able to learn they had to work all the time (Aboukhadijeh). Since work deprived them of an education most children did not know their ABC’s. Without an education a new middle class of uneducated would be formed (Aboukhadijeh). Another problem children faced was their health. Typically people did not care about their health this quote explains that “children should not be allowed to labor in the factories from morning till night, without any time for healthy recreation and mental culture,” for it “endangers their well being and health” (Child). Finally this was resolved in 1832 by the New England unions (Child). In the United States today, child labor remains a problem in agriculture, especially among migrant farm families. It is also an issue that comes up in protests of United States companies who buy products made by child laborers abroad

The Industrial Revolution affected Europe’s surpassing of other nations in a huge way. Europe’s population increase influenced significant economic adjustments across the nation such as the demand for industrial goods and resources. Britain brought the way of industrialization introducing manufacturing businesses and more urbanized societies. This significant change brought industrialization throughout all other European countries. Britain was the height of resources such as coal and iron, which were also at a high demand across the world. Technology began to advance as iron and copper became the common use of new tools and machinery making Britain’s metal production globally dependent upon across the

Many farmers were left with no choice but to move their families to the cities and work in the factories. There was a decrease in family business and more focus on corporate domination. Before the Industrial Revolution families were close, enjoyed working and playing together. Working in the factories wasn’t the best job. It gave individuals jobs that were never heard of before. The economy and technology was on a rapid rise.

The industrial revolution started with Britain. In Britain manufacturing was mainly done in homes using basic tools, and machines. Since Britain had the main sources, it was politically stable, and it was leading the colonial power, which meant that it could serve as a source for raw material, and as a marketplace for manufacturing goods. As the demand for British goods increased, people needed efficient and fast methods of production. This lead to the rise of technology, and factories. Soon other countries started adopting the idea of technology and machines, however, there were many conflicts that arose while industrial revolution was happening. Ultimately, the industrial revolution contributed positively. Even though there were many conflicts,

“Britain’s high -wage, cheap-energy economy made it profitable for British firms to invent and use the breakthrough technologies of the Industrial Revolution” (Allen, page 31). The main reasoning for this can be seen by evaluating Britain’s wages and prices. It was important for Britain to make and use the technology, because of the cheap but high wage economy which helped them become profitable. In the 1500’s many wages were categorized the same in Europe but, in the 1900s, Britain’s wages increased to about 60% which was more than any other country. These calculations were related to the fact that Britain has the technology and because they had the technology they could produce products more efficiently and quicker than others which made their profit higher than others. Britain also had their own coal fields, which was an easier and cheaper way of energy and because of this energy was cheaper and more cost sufficient. In regards to the Industrial revolution, there were many inventions that formed, including cotton and steam. Cotton became Britain’s largest industry, which started the competition of the development of cotton; which need machines in order produce quicker. The main purpose of the machines was important in regards to save labor while increasing the use of capital. The machines would only help when labor and wages were expensive and capital was cheap. Another invention that was vital was the steam engine, the steam engine allowed power it be useful in multiple things but it was also was cost effective because it burned so much coal at one time and being that British had more coal mines than any other it was

Kenneth Pomeranz argues that the industrial revolution occurred in England due to fortunate geographic circumstances such as easy access to coal for power as well as colonies where raw materials could be easily sourced. In contrast China lacked these advantages. For example Chinese coal was located in the north and its industrial base in the south.

The industrial revolution started in Britain in the 18th century. The biggest deal with this is knowing that during this time the use of machines for the purpose of labor is now beginning to be more widespread. Although before this took place machine labor did take place but not in a significant amount. Because of the industrial revolution the amount of farm labor changed as more people were moving to a more “modern” way of business. During this time transportation took a jump in production. Ships were able to get to their destination much quicker. Having the industrial revolution take