The Pros And Cons Of The Industrial Revolution

The industrial revolution had many pros and cons however, the big question is do the pros outweigh the cons. According to Edward Baines, “Capital has acclimated in safety; the workman has “gone forth to his work and to his labor until the evening,” and, thus protected and favored, the manufacturing prosperity of the country” ( Perry 122) This being said, I would have to disagree with Baines, as I believe that the conditions in which factories have grown do in fact not outweigh what the lack of conditions to the majority of the people dealt with during the industrial revolution. Looking into this topic more deeply, I will examine several different first hand sources from the industrial revolution and what they have to say about the harsh conditions

Conditions were even worse for children. Children were expected to work 16 hours a day, walk 2 hours each day back home and only have an hour break each day. According to Michael Sadler; he reported several testimonies, some of which talk about how kids were beaten, overworked and lacked food/water. One child testified that toward the end of the day, “when they cannot keep up with it very well, and the consequences are that they are beaten to spur them on” (Perry 131). This testimony comes from Sadler Commissions in May 1832. This is important, as this takes place during the initial time period of the industrial revolution. Looking at first person accounts is a critical piece as it allows us to get first hand knowledge of the events. Using this event will allow us to see how the conditions were not ideal for children in this time period. Undoubtedly, children were not the only issue that had occurred during the industrial

Women in the low class or working class were expected to go to work which was a huge advancement and were even paid for there time however, this was not the most ideal situation for them as they were sexually assaulted, paid less than men, and were expected to perform difficult task and if not, they were beaten so bad that resulted in death. Isabel Wilson; a mineworker, testified that she had given birth to 10 children and had suffered 5 miscarriages'” Women were vulnerable in these working conditions and often faced death at a very young age. (Nobel 609) This was very typical for women and should be taken into account that this is a first hand