WORLD HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The working conditions in factories were often harsh. Hours were long, typically ten to twelve hours a day. Working conditions were frequently unsafe and led to deadly accidents. Tasks tended to be divided for efficiency’s sake which led to repetitive and monotonous work for employees.

Detailed explanation-2: -The working conditions that working-class people faced were known to include: long hours of work (12-16 hour shifts), low wages that barely covered the cost of living, dangerous and dirty conditions and workplaces with little or no worker rights.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Industrial Revolution was powered by burning coal, and big industrial cities began pumping vast quantities of pollution into the atmosphere. London’s concentration of suspended particulate matter rose dramatically between 1760 and 1830, as this chart from Our World In Data illustrates.

Detailed explanation-4: -The working class of the industrial revolution consisted of anyone working in factories and textile mills, operating machinery, or skilled laborers. The middle class included factory and mill managers, construction supervisors, doctors, lawyers, and educated individuals.

Detailed explanation-5: -Why were factory conditions so bad at the start of the Industrial Revolution? Factory owners wanted to maximize profits. Laws were not in place to protect workers. There was too much work and too few workers.

Detailed explanation-6: -The living conditions in the cities and towns were miserable and characterized by: overcrowding, poor sanitation, spread of diseases, and pollution. As well, workers were paid low wages that barely allowed them to afford the cost of living associated with their rent and food.