How Did The Industrial Revolution Affect The Common Workers Working Conditions

The Industrial Revolution in both Britain and America was a revolution that altered the economy and the standard way of life. The Revolution took place during the 18th and 19th century and took a primarily agricultural society and industrialized it. After learning to use the power from rivers to provide power to factories, it began a whole new era of mass production and a more variety of goods. This effected the textile and iron industry the most but eventually made way for increased transportation. The Revolution seemed to be advantageous in various aspects but was actually the complete opposite for the common workers’ working conditions, living conditions, and it exploited child labor. Although the Industrial Revolution resembled a new …show more content…
Although the Revolution created many jobs, there were still many people left unemployed. This created a loss of bargaining powers for the employees because if they were to argue that their pay was too low, or any other complaint, the factory owner could easily fire them and hire someone else to take their place (“Effects of the Industrial Revolution”). The common worker had “a 12 to 14 hour day, six days a week, 309 days a year, with only three holidays” (Mack). They were constantly working and had very little opportunity to enjoy free time due to the fact that they were generally tired when they got out of work. Additionally, due to no safety laws, many of the work places were extremely dangerous to be in, especially when rushing around in it. It was very common for factory workers to get injured and possibly killed while working. If a worker got injured, there was no such law as workmen’s compensation and they would generally lose their job because they are not fit to work (“Effects…”). However, the injustice to the common worker did not stop at terrible working conditions but also leaked into their living conditions and home …show more content…
"Britain 1800." History Today 50.11 (2000): 29. Academic Search Elite. Web. 1
Oct. 2013.
Davies, Clarice Stella Spencer. Living Through The Industrial Revolution,. London: Routledge &
K. Paul, 1966. Print.
Deane, Phyllis. The First Industrial Revolution. Cambridge [Eng.: University, 1965. Print.
Dublin, Thomas. "Women and the Early Industrial Revolution in the United States." The Gilder
Lehrman Institute of American History. The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American
History, n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2013.
"Effects of the Industrial Revolution." Modern World History. N.p., n.d. Web. 1 Oct. 2013.
Mack, Pamela E. "Textile Factories Come to the U.S." People.clemson.edu. N.p., 24 Sept. 2003.
Web. 1 Oct. 2013.
Mill Times. Dir. David Macaulay. Perf. David Macaulay. PBS,