The industrial revolution was a period of great change in the British economy, technology and society that lasted from the mid-18th century to the mid-19th century. The introduction of new manufacturing processes and the development of new machines led to a significant increase in the production of goods, and this brought about a major shift in the structure of British society. This essay will examine the ways in which the industrial revolution affected British social life in the 19th century. The industrial revolution brought about significant changes in the social structure of British society. One of the most significant impacts was the emergence of the working class, which became the largest and most powerful social group in the country. …show more content…
They worked long hours under harsh conditions, often in dangerous and unsanitary environments. The factories were typically located in the cities, and workers had to live in crowded and cramped conditions, often in tenement housing. This led to the development of slums and other poor areas where crime and disease were rampant (Engels, 1845). The growth of the working class led to the emergence of a new social hierarchy in Britain. The upper class, which had traditionally held the most power and wealth, began to lose some of its influence as the working class became more organized and politically active. The middle class also grew in size and importance, as it consisted of the owners of the factories and other businesses that drove the industrial revolution (Marx, 1867). The industrial revolution also had a significant impact on the role of women in British society. Prior to the industrial revolution, women were primarily responsible for domestic work and child-rearing, and they had limited opportunities for education and employment outside of the home. However, with the growth of factories and other industries, women began to enter the workforce in large numbers. They worked in textile mills, as domestic servants, and in other industries. This gave them more economic independence and allowed them to contribute to the household income (Perkin, …show more content…
Women also faced discrimination in the workplace and in society at large. They were often denied access to education and political rights, and they had limited opportunities for career advancement (Clark, 1993). The industrial revolution also had a significant impact on the family structure in Britain. Prior to the industrial revolution, families lived and worked together on farms or in small-scale cottage industries. However, with the growth of factories and other industries, families were forced to separate as men went to work in the factories and women and children remained at home. This led to a breakdown in traditional family structures and social norms (Hobsbawm, 1959). The impact of the industrial revolution on British social life was not all negative, however. The growth of industries led to a significant increase in wealth and prosperity for many people. The middle class, in particular, benefited from the growth of businesses and industries, and many were able to achieve a level of wealth and social status that was previously unavailable to them. This led to a growth in the arts and culture, as the middle class became patrons of the arts and supported the development of museums, galleries, and other cultural institutions (Briggs,
Industrial Revolution DBQ Essay The Industrial Revolution was a time period that began in the 18th century in Great Britain and later spread throughout many other parts of the world, such as further in Europe and the United States. The revolution involved a shift between making goods by hand to by machine and impacted those of all social classes, each with their own active role in contributing to progression. Manchester, an influential and powerful city of the revolution period, illustrates the ways to which the revolution progressed. The city presents evidence of initially divided social classes and a negatively impacted environment, but later amends were made to create a generally positive outcome.
During the 19th century in Great Britain, there was a sudden rise in machines and new inventions that would simplify many difficult jobs for humans. Many workers were forced off farms and into factories to help these machines work. Poor farmers were the only ones who were forced into working in the factories because they had no money. This sudden change in the way society functioned brought up many different arguments from people who had very radical opinions. Although industrialization improved society in many ways, for example, the increase in money and food, it also derailed most of society.
The Industrial Revolution also had an impact on the social classes. It created a new middle class, and this class consisted of businessmen, factory owners, doctors, and lawyers. The men had the right to vote, and they also built factories and bought machines. The middle class grew in wealth, and it became as powerful and rich as the upper class. Once the middle class emerged, it disrupted the extreme nature of the typical American social class system.
The middle class was composed of businessmen and other professionals. As the Industrial Revolution grew, the more powerful these individuals became. Individuals and groups formed new libraries, schools, and universities because there was a need for education probably due to the increase in population.
The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, marked a significant period of transformation that had a profound impact on society. It introduced new manufacturing processes and machines that led to increased production and significant economic growth. However, the impact of this revolution on the working class is a matter of debate. This paper aims to answer the question, "What was the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the working class?" by exploring its economic, social, and political implications in depth.
Inequality between wealth, gender, and social class affected the way people were treated during the industrial revolution. Living conditions differed between social classes, the poor lived in horrible conditions. Additionally,
During the Industrialization of the Industrial Revolution with progress came poverty. The upper class for example business tycoons/owners became wealthier and the people that worked for them the lower class for example most immigrants new to the country or country folk moving to the city became more in debt to poverty. Tycoons became money hungry and indulged themselves in money and became invested into that resulted in safety violations. The workers becoming in need for more money they worked longer and harder to make ends meets and took their children out of school to earn more money for the family. Just like always women helped build up the society during the Industrial Revolution for example Jane Addams she began the Hull House Movement in which she created a place for homeless women and children to stay while providing education and opportunity by creating employment bureau for them.
The effects of industrialization on British society between 1750-1900 had great outcomes but had to pay a heavy price. Industrialization impacts hits the most to all empires and is a transition from human hand labor to machinery use. It all started when an inventor got the idea to use the water wheel to generate power and led to other innovations such as the spinning wheel to be used in textile factories. One example of an innovation, key to the industrizliaion is the steam engine. Steam engines were important because they powered ships so instead of the wind, they would use these steam engines and they made transportation and shipping much more efficient.
Before the the industrial revolution work and family were basically the same thing. Work was based around home and the family life. After the revolution began families were taken out of the home and put into factories for mass production of goods and services. Families were split because of the demands of the factories. To maximize production hours were lengthened to meet requirements.
During the Industrial Revolution life for the working changed in many ways, including working areas and conditions, lifestyle, social status and political influence. The most dramatic change in the lives of the working class during this industrialization was the change in dominant occupation and area of work. Upon the influence of the Industrial Revolution many people moved into larger cities to begin work as both skilled and semi-skilled workers and the most popular industry involving the work in mills and factories(Greer et al., 2012). Most of these people were forced out of their farming areas due to implementation of the enclosure acts causing land to be taken off people leaving them without a job(Carrodus, 2012). Skilled workers were
The classical liberal ideas of changes to the class system impacted the 19th century society because it gave the owners of factories/mines more power to pursue economic freedom, private property, and self interest. With little government involvement stopping them. Before the Industrial Revolution the upper class were the nobles, the middle were the merchants, lawyers, and the clergy, then the lowest class were the peasant farmers. The class system changed with the Industrial Revolution, with the new working class and the nouveau riche. The nouveau riche was made up of wealthy factory/mine owners, bankers, and merchants.
How did the industrial revolution affect the public health and life expectancy? What was the emerging middle class, working class families and the role of women? The working class in the industrial revolution consisted of 80% of society in Britain. People had left the farms and started their new life in the city in the beginning of the industrialization.
Finally, the middle classes were not primarily affected by the industrial revolution, but they were affected by the higher class, the aristocrats. The overall issue that all of the classes faced with the industrial revolution and how it affected the beliefs on family and marriage was change. Because of a change in economy, work, and machinery the society of Britain began to change the original ideas of family and marriage to fit the newly formed industrial society, allowing Britain’s industry and hierarchy to put strain and change for the people in the mid-nineteenth
Before the industrial revolution in the 18th century, conservatism and romanticism had taken hold of society as a repercussion of revolutionary movements. England stabilized itself with the reinstatement of monarchial power after the French Revolution allowing industrialization to take root with the introduction of limitless steam power. Steam power directly resulted in a shift from the cottage industry to the machine age. With this shift in the industry came a multitude of social, political, and economic changes. The Industrial Revolution inspired productivity and social mobility but did not benefit everyone equally or fairly.
With the Industrial Revolution, came a plethora of higher paid jobs for middle class men, and as the population of middle class people increased, more people got more money. The workers got paid as did the investors whose companies flourished with new educated workers to not only as artisans but also managers and supervisors. With the burgeoning middle class people improving the financial status of themselves and others, they had more prominence in economic, social, and political aspects of Britain. The middle class was seen as vital because of their efficiency in industry.