Lesson 3 - Effects of the Industrial Revolution

I. Introduction

- The social effects of industrialization maybe summed up as short term misery
for long-term gain. Factory labor was often more disciplined, tedious, and dangerous than
work in agriculture or domestic industry. It exploited women and, until the introduction
of child-labor laws in most countries by the early 20
th
century children. People often felt
that they had less control over their destiny as machines, although created by humans,
seemed to become their masters.

- At the same time life in the 19
th
century city was unpleasant. The environment
was often polluted with filth and smoke, and housing conditions were crowded and
unsanitary. Basic amenities such as water supply and sewage disposal were deficient, and
as a result diseases and death rates were high.

II. Presentation
A. Population Explosion
- The population of Europe began to grow rapidly and this population explosion
made far reaching effects. It grew from 140M to 463M people between 1750 and 1914.
People became healthier; there were medical discoveries and public sanitation that
reduced the number of deaths caused by diseases.

B. Problems of Growing Cities
- Cities were always busy all night and day people are working. Many factories
were built which harms our environment. People looking for jobs in the cities live poorly
in very small built houses with no sanitation system, inadequate water supply and open
trenches along the streets.

C. Working Conditions
- Most of the city-people work in factories. Wages are very low because of
unskilled workers. Employment of women and child-laboring were in demand because
their salary is paid less than men. Factories often use chemicals and machines have no
safety devices so accident happens frequently.

D. Social Structure
- The landowning aristocrats held the highest positions in the society, next was the
middle class, skilled workers and lastly the majority of the people who were small
farmers or farm workers. The Middle class families tried to adopt some aristocratic
customs because they were very conscious of their position in the society but they still
consider being polite and having a respectable life.






E. Labor Union Emerges
- Workers started to form associations called labor union. They formed this to
gain better wages, and improve other working conditions. Labor unions became
widespread in Britain. The employers disagreed to the shorter hour and higher wages
demanded by the laborers. Then the Parliament made the Combination Acts in 1799 and
1800 to outlaw the union. But workers refused to accept this condition. And slowly, they
started forming larger organizations for their rights.

III. Questions
A. TRUE OR FALSE

_________ 1.In Britain, the Parliament passed laws to limit the workday and to protect
workers.
_________ 2.The industrial workers expanded and enjoyed a more comfortable life.
_________ 3.Industrialization contributed to a population growth, rise of large cities, and
development of a new social structure.
_________ 4.Some of the problems caused by urbanization were the chemical and other
wastes by humans, overcrowding in an area and deficient sewage disposal.
_________ 5.Women and children above 9 are still not allowed to work and help support
the family.

B. Identification

__________ 1.Country where labor union first started
__________ 2.Rapid growth of population
__________ 3.Workers association which asked for better wages, and improve other
working conditions
__________ 4.An act outlawing labor unions
__________ 5.Forbade the employment of children under 9-years old
















IV. Answer Key

A. B.
1. TRUE 1. Britain
2. FALSE 2. Population Explosion
3. TRUE 3. Labor Union
4. TRUE 4. Combination Acts in 1799 & 1800
5. FALSE 5. Factory Act 1833


V. Remarks

--- Needs Improvement
--- Good
--- Satisfactory
--- Very Satisfactory
--- Outstanding