The 1860's: The Second Industrial Revolution
The 1860’s-1900’s was known as the Second Industrial revolution. Industrialization boomed during this time, and new industries such as steel, petroleum, and electricity were extremely successful.
However, this industrial boom came at a price. The bulk of the Labor force included many new immigrants, particularly the poorest. Some were migrating from a farm to the city. Others even came from other countries. They came to the urban areas, hopeful for a job and good pay. Many did not get that chance. The work hours were endless, with extremely small income. Sometimes, even the children had to work to support their family. (Later on, minimum working age was set and other reforms to child labor were made. )
The Introduction of the factory system …show more content…
There were no fire escapes and the doors opened out into the hall. The doors where blocked, locking the workers in. As result stricter building codes and fire regulations were passed. Also, coal miners faced difficult work conditions. Mine owners often hired children whose small hands could fit into narrow openings to scrape coal from the mine walls. Working 16 hour days with poor space and frequent accidents, these children might be paid a dollar a day. It was only a matter of time these conditions would force change. No one back then knew when. With America embracing a laissez faire philosophy few in government favored interfering on behalf of the worker, of whom many were immigrants. The ideals of Social Darwinism created the mentality that if the workers were to improve their life and they would have to do anything for themselves and it wasn’t …show more content…
Change was needed because the laborers endured some of the harshest conditions of that time. When new laws came about, conditions became better and more bearable. without riots or complaints, what would become of the economy? The cruelty could have lasted for many more decades, but thanks to the help of the anti-labor activists, children and adults alike were given new respect. The Industrial Revolution impacts us today, and provided us with a safer working environment for all citizens. Child labor laws state a minimum of working hours for children. We also are gifted by being encouraged to be educated, and having time to learn. For all of us, these horrible stories of labor have defined our past, and affected our present and changed our future, and have altered our government
However, this industrial boom came at a price. The bulk of the Labor force included many new immigrants, particularly the poorest. Some were migrating from a farm to the city. Others even came from other countries. They came to the urban areas, hopeful for a job and good pay. Many did not get that chance. The work hours were endless, with extremely small income. Sometimes, even the children had to work to support their family. (Later on, minimum working age was set and other reforms to child labor were made. )
The Introduction of the factory system …show more content…
There were no fire escapes and the doors opened out into the hall. The doors where blocked, locking the workers in. As result stricter building codes and fire regulations were passed. Also, coal miners faced difficult work conditions. Mine owners often hired children whose small hands could fit into narrow openings to scrape coal from the mine walls. Working 16 hour days with poor space and frequent accidents, these children might be paid a dollar a day. It was only a matter of time these conditions would force change. No one back then knew when. With America embracing a laissez faire philosophy few in government favored interfering on behalf of the worker, of whom many were immigrants. The ideals of Social Darwinism created the mentality that if the workers were to improve their life and they would have to do anything for themselves and it wasn’t …show more content…
Change was needed because the laborers endured some of the harshest conditions of that time. When new laws came about, conditions became better and more bearable. without riots or complaints, what would become of the economy? The cruelty could have lasted for many more decades, but thanks to the help of the anti-labor activists, children and adults alike were given new respect. The Industrial Revolution impacts us today, and provided us with a safer working environment for all citizens. Child labor laws state a minimum of working hours for children. We also are gifted by being encouraged to be educated, and having time to learn. For all of us, these horrible stories of labor have defined our past, and affected our present and changed our future, and have altered our government