Topic 8: REACTIONS to the Industrial Revolution

Reactions to the Industrial Revolution

Not everyone embraced the Industrial Revolution and free market capitalism. This led to various calls for reform among the working class.

Factory Work: Factory jobs were tedious, with long hours (13 hours per day) and low wages, leading to poverty among the working class.
Call for Reforms: The hardships faced by workers spurred demands for various reforms:
- Political Reform
- Social Reform
- Educational Reform
- Urban Reform

Expansion of Voting Rights: Western nations began recognizing voting rights for a broader section of the population.
- Previously, political parties focused on upper-class interests, but now, they had to appeal to the working class.
- Emergence of mass-based political parties representing workers' interests; social reforms became part of their platforms in Britain and France.

Working-Class Societies: The industrial working class organized into societies for:
- Providing sickness insurance
- Hosting social events to offer community support in a difficult existence.

Compulsory Education Laws (1870-1914): Many European governments implemented laws requiring children aged 6 to 12 to attend school.
Preparation for Technical Jobs: Compulsory education was crucial for meeting the demands of higher-paying, specialized jobs emerging during the Second Industrial Revolution.

Living Conditions: Industrial cities were overcrowded with inadequate infrastructure leading to unsanitary conditions.
Government Response: Laws and investments in sanitation (e.g., sewage systems) were introduced to improve urban living conditions.

Collective Action: Labor unions emerged as collectives of workers advocating for their interests in the workplace.
- Previously illegal in many regions; they gained power as numbers grew.
Negotiating Power: Unions could negotiate for:
- Higher wages
- Shorter working hours
- Improved working conditions
Membership Growth: By the late 19th century, British unions had 2 million members; German and American unions had around 1 million each.
Political Influence: Some unions evolved into political parties, for instance, the German Social Democratic Party focused on Marxist reforms.

Critique of Capitalism: Marx argued that capitalism engendered societal instability and increased class divisions.
Class Struggle: He believed that the bourgeoisie exploited the proletariat, which would inevitably lead to a revolution by the working class.
The Communist Manifesto (1848): Along with Friedrich Engels, Marx outlined his theories advocating for a classless society through a revolution.

Trade Relations: In the late 18th century, Qing China resisted British traders, which led to a trade deficit.
Opium Wars: British illegal opium trade resulted in conflicts, demonstrating industrialized Britain overpowering Qing forces.
Western Exploitation: Post-defeat, China faced unequal treaties and divisions into spheres of influence.
Self-Strengthening Movement: A response to outside threats, attempting to modernize while preserving traditional culture; ultimately deemed a failure after defeat by Japan.

The "Sick Man of Europe": By the mid-19th century, the Ottomans struggled with territorial losses and insufficient tax revenues.
Tanzimat Reforms: Initiated aggressive reforms, including:
- Establishing textile factories
- Implementing Western law codes and education systems
Emergence of Young Ottomans: This group sought political change towards constitutional government and limiting imperial power.
Constitution of 1876: The Sultan briefly accepted constitutional reforms but reverted to absolutist rule during a conflict.

Both states exhibited different responses to industrial pressure, with China faltering under weak reforms and the Ottoman Empire making more substantial changes, although still facing decline.