Industrialization changes life

How were people’s lives impacted by the Industrial Revolution?

Life during industrialization

During the period of urbanization, working and living conditions for many urban residents were very poor

Because Britain’s cities grew so rapidly there was no plan in place to deal with the large amount of people moving to the cities

People lived in dark, dirty and crowded homes, with little sanitation

Conditions around the factories were very poor, lots of pollution

Conditions in factories were dangerous: unsafe machinery, lack of training & most worked 14 hours a day, 6 days a week

Life was very hard for workers, especially children working in the mills

The following was the typical day for William Cooper, a 10 year old worker at a British textile factory:

5:00am: The workday begins for William. He an his sister were up by 4:00am to get to the factory by 5am. Breakfast was eaten on the run.

12noon: Children are given a 40-minute break for lunch. This is their only break of the day.

3:00pm: Children often became drowsy in the late afternoon. Adult overseers would walk around and whip children who were not awake.

6:00pm: There was no break for an evening meal. Children would have to eat while working.

9:00pm: William Cooper’s day ended after an exhausting 16-hour shift

11:00pm: William’s older sister had to work an extra two hours sewing materials. She still had to return at 5am the next day.

Child Labor: Angela’s Ashes

What type of work does Frankie have to do?

Does he make much money doing this job?

Is this type of work dangerous?

Do you think it’s the government’s responsibility to prevent child labor? Why/Why not?