Industrial Revolution Dbq Essay

Before the 19th century, almost everything was made by hand in a painstakingly long process. However, around 1760, the industrial revolution began in Europe. Everything began to be manufactured and processed by machines. People migrated to the cities for jobs as demand for workers increased, and the industry prospered. Products were created quicker and more easily with the aid of machines, and national wealth flourished. Everyone was content, or so it seemed. Behind the curtains of a successful industry, workers clinged to life, trapped in a web of dust and smoke. With every inhale, they absorbed toxins into their frail bodies. The Industrial Revolution massacred workers through inhumane treatment and toxic working and living conditions. While

Workers in industrial factories were treated harshly. They suffered physically and mentally, as they were born into a position of working young without a steady supply of food. According to Flora Tristan’s journal, workers had more needs than just food. Workers lived miserably, with a lack of “clothing, bed, furniture, fuel… they live suspended between an insufficiency of food, and an excess of strong drink” (Document 4). Without basic necessities, a fulfilling life was nearly impossible. All of their hard work was in vain. For all of their long 12-13 hour workdays, they were still unable to afford shelter or food- things that are considered to be necessary for life.
Most importantly, the Industrial Revolution created toxic work environments. Workers labored for long, strenuous hours with few breaks. Their workplace consisted of small, cramped rooms with low ceilings, which trapped dust and particles of fabric or metal. As described in Journeys to England and Ireland by Alexis de Tocqueville, workers rarely

They claim that people lived longer and had a better quality of live. They may also claim that new laws were made to fix the disgraceful acts against workers. While both of these statements are true, they do not tell the full story. Firstly, only wealthy people lived longer and had a better quality of life. According to Southey’s Colloquies by Thomas Macaulay, people had a better quality of life. They lived longer and were “better fed, better lodged, better clothed, and better attended in sickness… owing to the increase in national wealth” (Document 2). Nations gained wealth from the success of their factories, which impacted the people at the top of the social hierarchy. Government officials and factory owners did experience a better life, but it was only made possible by the torment of the working class. One could say that this prosperous life was stolen away from the workers. This slim minority benefitted at the cost of hundreds or thousands of ruined lives. Since the people of Manchester includes the working class, which greatly outweighs the wealthy, an overwhelming majority of Manchester’s citizens did not benefit. Secondly, the laws made to fix the torment of the working class were not effective. William Abram’s journal article explains how the new laws “improved” lives. As stated in his article, “the excessive hours of labor have been legally reduced to ten hours per