Class 02/24- Social changes of Industrial Revolution

Overview of Industrialization

• Industrialization began in England around 1760.

• Developed differently in England compared to continental Europe.

Stability and Investment in England

• The English government was fiscally stable with fewer revolutions.

• Willing to invest in infrastructure and support private investors in building railroads and factories.

• Children in England benefitted from greater opportunities in industrial growth.

Differences in Continental Europe

• Continental Europe saw more government control and involvement in industry.

• Many governments were conservative and resisted new ideas and technologies.

• Economic factors led to a slower industrialization compared to England.

Environmental Impact

• England had undergone deforestation, causing a reliance on coal for energy production.

• Coal was preferred over wood due to its consistent burning properties, essential for steam engines.

Progress in Other Regions

• Early industrial experiments began in Northern France and Northern Germany.

• Many regions still relied on serf labor, leading to resistance against industrialization.

• Nobility opposed investments in machines due to the availability of free labor.

Historical Context of Industrialization

• Events like the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars hindered industrial progress.

• Societal focus was on survival, not on building factories.

• Land availability influenced urban migration; less urgency to move to cities in Continental Europe.

Results of Industrialization

• By 1850, Northern France, Belgium, and parts of Germany had begun catching up with England and the US.

• Industrialization led to cheaper goods, increased production of textiles to make clothes, and a rise in steel production.

• Transformation of construction methods and the appearance of steel boats and buildings, signaling the beginning of skyscraper construction.

• The introduction of railroads sped up both the transportation of goods and people.

• Impactful for military logistics; troops could be moved rapidly during conflicts.

• Industrilized more: England, Northern France.

• Stay more in farming: Spain, Southern Europe, Italy.

Population Growth and Migration

• Population of Europe in 1800 was approximately 205 million, doubling by the eve of World War I.

• By 1914 there was an increased in population of 480 million.

• Factors contributing to population growth included refrigeration and improved food preservation through canning.

• Immigration patterns evolved during the 19th century as populations moved to the US, South America, and Australia.

The Irish Potato Famine

• Over-reliance on potatoes led to a famine (1845-1852) resulting in significant population decline in Ireland.

• Pre-famine population estimated at 8-9 million; after-famine population estimated 5-6 million.

• Current population levels never returned to previous numbers.

Immigration Trends in the 1800s

• 37 million individuals emigrated in search of better opportunities during the 1800s.

• Varied destinations included the US, South America, North Africa, New Zeland and Australia; some migrations were involuntary (like the British penal colonies).

Rise of the Middle Class

• Emergence of a distinct middle class characterized by a mix of occupations.

• Growing presence of white-collar jobs alongside blue-collar roles; job types emphasized respectability.

Class Distinctions

• Clear divisions emerged: upper class, middle class, and working class.

• Middle class characterized by social reforms advocating for moral standards and assistance for lower classes.

• Concepts of respectability defined middle class identity.

Gender Roles and Class

• Middle-class women expected to uphold moral standards while managing household duties.

• Women were considered the “Angel in the house”.

• There was a cult of domesticity that emphasized women's roles as devoted wives and had the task of keeping the household functioning smoothly and harmonoiusly.

• The concept of separate spheres defined male and female roles in society, contrasting with previous agricultural practices that required more cooperation.

Social Reform and Morality

• Middle-class men often advocated for reforms (to ban, to limit) regarding alcohol and drugs, influenced by moral concerns and economic considerations.

• This led to increased scrutiny of the lower classes, often unfairly labeled as immoral or lazy.

Working Class

• The blue collar workers

• There is a mobility downwards and most of the time will not be upwards.

• Lost of jobs, if a factory found a way to operate, they will replace the worker.

• The working class faced harsh conditions in factories and tenement buildings, leading to issues such as homelessness and poor health.

• Women in the working class often had to work, exacerbating class disparities.

• Women to make a living they prostituded themselves.

Class Awareness and Revolutions

• Mid-1800s marked the growing awareness of the working class as a distinct group with unique needs and challenges.

• Conflicts of interest between factory owners (middle class) and factory workers highlighted class struggles.