Working in the 19th century
Working in the late nineteenth century Late in the nineteenth century, as the United States was recovering from the devastating effects of the civil war, poverty and famine began to strike the people of the country (pg 25). Financial panic sparked the beginning of a severe depression and the people grew restless as wages were being cut and the work place became more unsuitable for safe work (pg 25). Even though wages were almost too low to make ends meet, the rapid growth of immigration and the increase of unemployment gave the industry owners the opportunity to submit its workers to unfit workplaces and low wages. There were many effects of the industrial revolution, but weather the conditions were improving or getting worse depended on the perspective and position of the individual. The economic situations of the general population were improving, but still not comparable to the standards of today. "Testimony of Workmen" gave good sources on what the average worker thought about their job in that era. The bias in the testimony is most workers always feel they are worth more then the credit given to them. Another valuable source was "Earnings, Expenses and Conditions of Workingmen and Their Families." Although this se
The father and mother both worked, but the father was not a member of a labor union. Although some immigrants and many natural born Americans did speak the predominant language, they were incapable of sending their children to school, due to lack of income. This applied to the society says that only the most educated and well off would survive the easiest. Only one man who was a carpet-mill operative did not mind sixty hours a week (pg 27). Life was improving for most educated families backed by unions, but families lacking education and means to communicate due to immigration halted the ability to adapt and grow as hastily as the rest of the society. Most believe the industrial period was unavoidable due to a society instinct to progress. With the father, mother, and a son working they are able to educate four of the their children. He said that after his ten hours are up he could hardly read the evening newspaper let alone study (pg 26). Since most immigrants were unable to communicate and understand the predominant language of the society, they did not have the opportunity to seek education due to lack of teachings in their native tongue. Plagued by no education, and no backing by a union immigrants were forced to take jobs that produced low wages, and had unfit working conditions. Working in the industrialization period was hard on most workers. They are only there because it is all the potential they posses. The harness maker believed that he was easily being overworked by at least two hours a day (pg 26). He believes if the shifts were equally split up there would be enough work to go around for everyone year around and the workers would be able to get what the labor was worth or at least the price of living (pg 28). The birth of labor unions allowed the workers to gain more control of the work place.
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