Social Inequality In The Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution (1852–83), originating in Great Britain, is arguably one of the most significant time periods from our historical timeline, and is best known for the process of change from a rural and handicraft economy to one dominated by industry and machine manufacturing. However, the Industrial Revolution, although encouraged the development of technology, was ultimately consequential to our society and planet as a whole. Not only did the Industrial Revolution lead to the depletion of our ecological system, but also encouraged a major economic division and brought social inequality and injustice, short and long term.

Social injustice and a lack of labour laws found its way to be a commonplace amongst society during the Industrial Revolution. Children became the ideal employees for factory owners due to their small size; this

There was no concern for the education of a child and this often created a vicious cycle which kept the wealthy, wealthy, and the poor, poor. The ‘dark satanic mills’, how people often referred to factories and cotton mills during the Industrial Revolution, often had extremely low safety standards, which commonly resulted in the loss of a limb, the factories had little to no ventilation, and a similar situation for light. Wages and working conditions were exceedingly low and workers were treated inadequately by the managers and owners who possessed a higher social class. The lack of social equality did however, not go unnoticed by the working class. Smashing equipment, abusing owners and forming physical protests, these people were referred to as Luddites during the Industrial Revolution. Riots broke out amongst the people and government officials responded violently. In 1812, 23 Luddites were executed across Britain, and brutal force clearly was created no change. Later on in 1838, the working-class had seen no change in their situation and re-approached the situation