THE LEARNING HOUSE

POSITIVE EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

At first Industrial Revolution made life miserable for many working people but after about
1840 things began to improve, and life for many people grew slowly better.
BETTER STANDARD OF LIVING
The factory system helped to narrow the gap between working people and the rich. Goods
could be made much more quickly and cheaply by machine than by hand, so many more
people could have them. Ordinary people could have much better clothing, their homes could
have cold running water, drains and gas because iron pipes were cheap to make. They could
have carpets and better furniture and household goods. They could have some luxuries which
only the rich could afford earlier many had bicycles and pianos, and even went for short
holidays. From about 1880 refrigerated ships brought cheap meat and fruit from all over the
world so the working people could have better food.

OPPORTUNITIES
The industrial system gave the chance for some people from poor families to rise in the
world. Some became very rich and a few even became nobles. The factories needed different
kinds of worker- supervisors, managers, engineers, mechanics and other technicians. The big
business needed clerks of all kinds. More bankers, accountants and lawyers were needed.
Working people who were prepared to work hard and study could often get better jobs, with
good wages. Workers who were clever and energetic enough could set up their own
businesses. If they succeeded they might become very rich indeed, owning their own
factories.

TRADE UNIONS
Before the Industrial Revolution Workers did not meet many others in the same trade. Now
hundreds of men and women met in the factories and could talk about wages and conditions
of work. They realised how badly they were paid and how unfairly they were treated. After
1830 workers began to form trade unions and try to get better conditions and shorter hours.
LAWS
Britain chose to change the terrible conditions of early industrial revolution by making new
laws. There were many Acts which stopped people working long hours in factories. There
were laws which stopped women and children working in coal mines. There were laws which
made machinery safer. There were many laws which made cities healthier places to live.