Industrial Revolution

Technological Innovations

• James Hargreaves' "spinning jenny"
• James Watt's "steam engine"
• Robert Fulton's "steamboat"
• Stephenson's "steam powered train

Rural to Urban

Jobs were the biggest motivating factor. Farmers found that they could make more money in factories than working the land. Essentially farming wasn't needed anymore due to the transition of agriculture to urbanization, it was better for the farmers to move for the better of themselves and to the society.

Working Conditions

• dark
• only light source was natural light
• few windows
• dangerous machines, many machines being operated by few workers
• few break times (usually 1-hour break), dusty and dirty, lead to diseases

Rural vs Urban 1800s

• 40% of people lived in urban centers while 60% lived in rural areas! this was because the industrial revolutions ideas haven't started or any type of idea spread

Role of women and children during the Industrial Society

Children helped their families by working in whatever job they could find, overall the power of the youth was abused as they were paid below minimum wage, but whatever money they could get that could help was fine. Education was not to big, because it required money, and families did not see the reason for that.
Women ranged in jobs, as those who were fortunate may have become maids for wealthier families, others may have worked as governesses for rich children. The less fortunate may have been forced to work in shocking conditions during the day and then have to return home to conduct the households domestic needs. Women also faced the added burden of societies demand for children. The industrial age led to a rapid increase in birth rates which clearly has an impact upon the physical strength of the mothers. It was not uncommon for families to have more than 10 children as a result of this demand: and the woman would often have to work right up to and straight after the day of the child's birth for financial reasons, leaving the care of the new born child to older relatives.

Social Classes of the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution made drastic changes on the lives of individuals. The middle class shined during this period. Even though most could afford goods anyway, the prices lowered even more, so that those who could not afford them before could now enjoy the comfort and convenience of the new products being made. The middle class was composed of businessmen and other professionals. The larger the Industrial Revolution grew, the more powerful these individuals became. Individuals and groups formed new libraries, schools, and universities because there was a sudden need for education (possibly due to the increase in population). The middle and upper classes had better food and housing, which led to fewer diseases and longer living among these groups. Since these classes were treated so well, their population grew and thus had minimal difficulty living during the Industrial Revolution. The working class, instead was suffering, while the higher classes were "feeding" off of them.

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