Life in the Industrial Revolution
As noted before, the Industrial Revolution began in 1760’s era Great Britain, extending through some of the first half of the 19th century. Everyday life for large sections of the population underwent massive changes during this time. Work became more disciplined and followed more of a regiment that occurred outside the home. Population movement also underwent a shift from living on the countryside to city-living which produced a dramatic change in lifestyle.
Everyday life experiences were shaped by industrialization, depending on the level of industrial development in a particular location. Industrialization promoted the development of new socioeconomic classes between 1815 and 1914. For highly industrialized areas, such as western and northern Europe, the new economy created social divisions, which in turn lead to the development of self-conscious economic classes, particularly among the proletariat and the bourgeois. These economic changes also ignited rises in trade and industrial unions as well as the creation of benevolent associations; sports clubs; and distinctive class-based cultures of dress, speech, values and customs.
Europe also experienced rapid population growth and urbanization that resulted in not only benefits, but social dislocations as well. This increased population also created a larger labor force. In some areas though, migration from the countryside to the towns and cities led to overcrowding and significant emigration overseas. Industrialization promoted population growth, longer life expectancies, and lowered infant mortality. This was also caused in part, by the commercialization of agriculture. An effect of this population growth was overcrowding in industrialized regions such as cities, as people migrated from rural to urban areas. In rural areas, population declines were rampant as available workers left the area and weakened their communities.
Everyday life experiences were shaped by industrialization, depending on the level of industrial development in a particular location. Industrialization promoted the development of new socioeconomic classes between 1815 and 1914. For highly industrialized areas, such as western and northern Europe, the new economy created social divisions, which in turn lead to the development of self-conscious economic classes, particularly among the proletariat and the bourgeois. These economic changes also ignited rises in trade and industrial unions as well as the creation of benevolent associations; sports clubs; and distinctive class-based cultures of dress, speech, values and customs.
Europe also experienced rapid population growth and urbanization that resulted in not only benefits, but social dislocations as well. This increased population also created a larger labor force. In some areas though, migration from the countryside to the towns and cities led to overcrowding and significant emigration overseas. Industrialization promoted population growth, longer life expectancies, and lowered infant mortality. This was also caused in part, by the commercialization of agriculture. An effect of this population growth was overcrowding in industrialized regions such as cities, as people migrated from rural to urban areas. In rural areas, population declines were rampant as available workers left the area and weakened their communities.
In turn, urbanization and industrialization changed the structure and relations of bourgeois and working-class families to varying degrees. Birth control became more commonly used amongst Europeans. Children also experienced dramatic changes in daily-life as protective legislation, universal schooling and smaller-family sizes benefitted them. The “cult of domesticity” also established new models of gendered behavior for men and women (which is gross…). Gender roles became more clearly defined as middle-class women withdrew from the workforce. At the same time, working-class women increased their participation as wage-laborers, although they were criticized by the middle-class for neglecting their families.
It was through industrialization that the development of new classes in Europe came about. Industrialized areas of Europe (i.e. western and northern Europe), experienced socioeconomic changes that created divisions of labor that led to the development of self-conscious classes, such as the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. In the less industrialized areas of Europe, agricultural elites remained dominant forces well into the 20th century. Class identity also developed and was reinforced through participation in philanthropic, political and social associations among the middle classes, and in mutual aid societies and trade unions among the working classes.
The Industrial Revolution also altered the family structure and relations for bourgeois and working-class families over time. Bourgeois families became more focused on the structure of the nuclear family and the “cult of domesticity,” which imposed distinct gender roles for men and women. Economic motivations for marriage, while they were still important for all classes, diminished as the middle-class notion of companion-based marriage began to be adopted by the working classes.
The concept of time also changed due to industrialization and urbanization. Particularly concerning work and leisure, work schedules were strict, but there was also a separation of the workplace from the home. Eventually working conditions came about that pushed to improve said conditions and have shorter hours. Increasing leisure time spurred the development of leisure activities for bourgeois families. Leisure time centered increasingly on the family or small groups, concurrent with the development of activities and spaces to use that time. Some examples of these activities and spaces were as follows:
Regardless of these changes, poverty and inequality were still significant social problems despite the quality of material life improving. For most social groups, the standard of living rose; the availability of consumer products grew; and sanitary standards, medical care, and life expectancy improved.
By the turn of the century, wages, and the quality of life for the working class had improved because of laws restricting the labor of children and women, social welfare programs, improved diet, and the use of birth control. Some prominent examples of laws restricting labor for women and children were as follows:
Click Here to View a Detailed Timeline of Labor Laws of the Industrial Revolution.
Quick Q: Discussion
It was through industrialization that the development of new classes in Europe came about. Industrialized areas of Europe (i.e. western and northern Europe), experienced socioeconomic changes that created divisions of labor that led to the development of self-conscious classes, such as the proletariat and the bourgeoisie. In the less industrialized areas of Europe, agricultural elites remained dominant forces well into the 20th century. Class identity also developed and was reinforced through participation in philanthropic, political and social associations among the middle classes, and in mutual aid societies and trade unions among the working classes.
The Industrial Revolution also altered the family structure and relations for bourgeois and working-class families over time. Bourgeois families became more focused on the structure of the nuclear family and the “cult of domesticity,” which imposed distinct gender roles for men and women. Economic motivations for marriage, while they were still important for all classes, diminished as the middle-class notion of companion-based marriage began to be adopted by the working classes.
The concept of time also changed due to industrialization and urbanization. Particularly concerning work and leisure, work schedules were strict, but there was also a separation of the workplace from the home. Eventually working conditions came about that pushed to improve said conditions and have shorter hours. Increasing leisure time spurred the development of leisure activities for bourgeois families. Leisure time centered increasingly on the family or small groups, concurrent with the development of activities and spaces to use that time. Some examples of these activities and spaces were as follows:
- Sports clubs and arenas
- Beaches
- Department stores
- Museums
- Theaters
- Opera houses
Regardless of these changes, poverty and inequality were still significant social problems despite the quality of material life improving. For most social groups, the standard of living rose; the availability of consumer products grew; and sanitary standards, medical care, and life expectancy improved.
By the turn of the century, wages, and the quality of life for the working class had improved because of laws restricting the labor of children and women, social welfare programs, improved diet, and the use of birth control. Some prominent examples of laws restricting labor for women and children were as follows:
Click Here to View a Detailed Timeline of Labor Laws of the Industrial Revolution.
Quick Q: Discussion
As time went on, the Second Industrial Revolution commenced. The Second Industrial Revolution, also known as the Technological Revolution, was a phase of the Industrial Revolution that corresponded with the latter half of the 19th century until World War I. It was primarily characterized by the construction of railroads, large-scale iron and steel production, the widespread use of machinery in manufacturing, a greatly increased use of steam power, the use of oil, and the beginning of electricity and electrical communications. A result of all of these happenings, created heightened consumerism.
Industrialization and mass marketing increased both the production and demand for a new range of consumer goods — including clothing, processed foods, labor-saving, and leisure. Mass markets such as advertising, department stores, and catalogs assisted in creating the demand for these new consumer goods. New efficient methods of transportation and other innovations created new industries, also improved the distribution of goods, increased consumerism, and enhanced the quality of life.
Industrialization and mass marketing increased both the production and demand for a new range of consumer goods — including clothing, processed foods, labor-saving, and leisure. Mass markets such as advertising, department stores, and catalogs assisted in creating the demand for these new consumer goods. New efficient methods of transportation and other innovations created new industries, also improved the distribution of goods, increased consumerism, and enhanced the quality of life.