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White Slavery In The Industrial Revolution Summary

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White Slavery In The Industrial Revolution Summary
a) Look in the web links on learning areas to this article called ‘White Slavery in the Industrial Revolution’. The author argues that industrial workers were virtually slaves of the great industrialists of the era.
Do you agree with the author that Industrial workers were akin to slaves? Write a paragraph (15-20 lines) which discusses your response to this idea and which contains evidence from the article to back it up.

I agree with Michael A. Hoffman II’s opinion that even though white people were not labeled as slaves like the black slaves, they were still subject to slave-like conditions in their workplace and were often treated even worse than the African slaves.

During 18th century Britain, the Industrial Revolution resulted in a factory
…show more content…
“In such times, Black slaves in America were often treated better than White employees, as the slaves could be quite expensive to buy, and therefore were looked after as an economic asset. The Economist has estimated that in 1753 an African slave from the Gold Coast would cost £16 (about UK£1,000 or US$1,650 in today's money), and in the West Indies would fetch up to £35.” Frederic Olmsted also witnessed black slaves being treated better than white slaves. In this recount he tells of an overseer saying, "the niggers are worth too much to be risked here; if the Paddies are knocked overboard or get their backs broke, nobody loses anything."

“They loved the negro 'oer the wave, they strove to set him free; But though I am a little slave, there's nobody loves me” b) Why do you think people including children continued to work in such appalling conditions for such low wages? In your answer discuss the threat of the Poor house, and government support for the unemployed. The effect on family life, for example: what happened to families if they went to live in the Poor House or the Work House.

During the Industrial Revolution work conditions were dreadful in every way. There was no protection for jobs or injury, the pay was little, conditions were harsh, and punishments were severe and detrimental. The only reason people, including children, continued to work in these conditions was for

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