Social Effects Of The Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution was long represented by its historians and many of its students as a “sudden and violent” change that started an age of economic exploitation and social unrest. Scholars thought the revolution began in the late eighteenth century. There were steam engines attached to new machines in the textile mills of central and northern England. It led to the crowding of people into the slums of factory towns, a situation that was worse than before. This crowding saw many problems such as bad health and stress. There, the workers were forced by many new capitalists to work long hours under rotten conditions. As Tonynbee, who was a famous historian said, “The effects of the Industrial Revolution prove that free competition may
produce wealth without producing well-being in its workers.” (See Toynbee’s article, “The Myth of Economic Success” in the book, The History of the English Capitalists and Colonists and their Factories.) The revolution was supposed to make life easier for workers, even though it did not. Going to work daily, a job left little time for much else. There was no alternative to feed the family; therefore, it was a hard time for families to stay together despite of their new-found wealth. Each person had their problems to be sure, which is the way it has always been.
produce wealth without producing well-being in its workers.” (See Toynbee’s article, “The Myth of Economic Success” in the book, The History of the English Capitalists and Colonists and their Factories.) The revolution was supposed to make life easier for workers, even though it did not. Going to work daily, a job left little time for much else. There was no alternative to feed the family; therefore, it was a hard time for families to stay together despite of their new-found wealth. Each person had their problems to be sure, which is the way it has always been.