The Industrial Revolution fundamentally altered the way that people live, learn, travel, and interact, as well as the environment in which they live. The changes that were made may not have necessarily changed lives for the better, but it is agreed that the inventions presented problems to some citizens, especially those of the working-class. Although aristocrats and richer people could agree that the inventions were helpful, workers were easily affected by illness and often could not afford many of the luxuries that new inventions offered.
The working class, which made up 80% of society, had little or no power. The population in Great Britain during the Industrial Revolution was increasing rapidly, and landowners were enclosing common land while people from the countryside migrated to the new factories to find employment, resulting in a high unemployment rate. Richer citizens who owned factories were able to set terms of work, due to the more unskilled laborers who would take any job offered. In general, most industries that had recently advanced were new enough that there were no laws to regulate them initially. During the Industrial Revolution, only wealthy citizens of Great Britain were eligible to vote, concluding that workers could not use the democratic political system to fight for their rights. The British Parliament passed the Combination Acts in 1799 and 1800, which disallowed workers to unite and ask for better work conditions. Therefore, although the new inventions were and still are considered beneficial, they were not viewed as such by all people in their early days.
The Industrial Revolution was a time of great change, which altered the entire world in a very significant manner. It was a critical turning point for the world, with new discoveries and inventions being put into use every day. Although it was debated, whether or not some of the developments were for better or worse, the Industrial Revolution was a transformation and changed the world from what it was before to what it is today.
The working class, which made up 80% of society, had little or no power. The population in Great Britain during the Industrial Revolution was increasing rapidly, and landowners were enclosing common land while people from the countryside migrated to the new factories to find employment, resulting in a high unemployment rate. Richer citizens who owned factories were able to set terms of work, due to the more unskilled laborers who would take any job offered. In general, most industries that had recently advanced were new enough that there were no laws to regulate them initially. During the Industrial Revolution, only wealthy citizens of Great Britain were eligible to vote, concluding that workers could not use the democratic political system to fight for their rights. The British Parliament passed the Combination Acts in 1799 and 1800, which disallowed workers to unite and ask for better work conditions. Therefore, although the new inventions were and still are considered beneficial, they were not viewed as such by all people in their early days.
The Industrial Revolution was a time of great change, which altered the entire world in a very significant manner. It was a critical turning point for the world, with new discoveries and inventions being put into use every day. Although it was debated, whether or not some of the developments were for better or worse, the Industrial Revolution was a transformation and changed the world from what it was before to what it is today.
“There is barely sufficient work for the regular employment of half of our laborers, so that only 1,500,000 are fully and constantly employed, while 1,500,000 more are employed only half their time, and the remaining 1,500,000 wholly unemployed.”
- Henry Mayhew
- Henry Mayhew