Conditions for Workers during the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution is defined as a rapid major change in an economy, marked by the general introduction of power-driven machinery. Industrialization began in Great Britain, then spread west to The United States. These new technological developments increased productivity and decreased cost. By the mid 18th century Britain had received a population boom, which left many civilians no choice, but to send their children to work in the mills. Due to the increase in population Britain's economy had failed leaving a large amount of their Citizens out of work and starving. Employees were extremely reliant there jobs therefor Factory workers got away with treating them inhumanly. Meanwhile in the US, despite a stable Economy many children were also being sent to the mills. Parents were convinced that the Mills were the best place for the kids. Under the impression that the Mills would give children 3 meals a day, a fair pay, and an education the Factory's had no trouble finding employees. Child workers in America seemed to be treated slightly better than in England.

    At factory Mills children often worked between 10&15 hours at a time. As described in a schedule shown in our DBQ packet, English workers were given 40 mins to eat lunch and the rest of their meals would be consumed during or on their way to work. In Lowell workers were given a decently timed break for each meal. Although Lowell did provide more time for meals than English factory's, the food quality in both places was about the same. Neither factory provided their Employees with healthy or nourishing food.

Another example of the horrible working conditions In England and America, are the dangerous machinery that the children were operating. The Machines were extremely dangerous and the cause of many employee deaths. As described by John Brown in 1823, a ten year old girl was thrown into a machine she was attending immediately killing her and leaving almost every bone in her body broken. Another accident recorded by John Allet remembers a boy who's strap was caught by the machine whine then dragged him and cut his body to bits. Factory accidents occurred in both places.

The Industrial Revolution, lead to 1000s of people in terrible working conditions. The dangerous machines that employees operated, were found in every mill. The outcome of these operations lead to countless deaths in both England and America. However, Employees in the Lowell mills were given a better meal and break time plan than English workers. Due to American families being slightly more persistent in how their children and family members would be treated, Lowell working conditions were better than Britain.