Industrial working class

Definition

The industrial working class refers to a group of wage laborers who were employed in factories and industries during the Industrial Revolution, particularly from the late 18th century through the 19th century. This class emerged as a result of changes in agricultural and industrial production, which shifted economies from rural agrarian systems to urban manufacturing. They played a crucial role in driving industrial growth, but also faced significant social and economic challenges.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The rise of the industrial working class was a direct result of the shift from hand production methods to machine-based manufacturing during the Industrial Revolution.
2. Workers in this class often labored in harsh conditions, facing long hours, low wages, and unsafe environments, leading to movements for labor rights and reforms.
3. Many industrial workers lived in overcrowded urban areas, contributing to significant social changes and challenges such as poor health and sanitation.
4. The growth of the industrial working class led to the formation of labor unions as workers organized to fight for better wages and working conditions.
5. The experiences of the industrial working class contributed to broader social theories, including Marxism, which analyzed class struggle and economic inequality.

Review Questions

• How did the emergence of the industrial working class change the social structure of society during the Industrial Revolution?
  • The emergence of the industrial working class significantly altered the social structure by creating a distinct group of wage earners who lived primarily in urban areas. This shift led to the decline of traditional agrarian lifestyles and increased urbanization. As factory jobs became more common, a new social dynamic developed where wealth was concentrated among factory owners and investors, while workers often faced poverty and harsh living conditions. This division contributed to class consciousness and fueled movements for social reform.
• Analyze the impact of poor working conditions faced by the industrial working class on labor movements during the 19th century.
  • Poor working conditions faced by the industrial working class led to significant activism that formed labor movements during the 19th century. The exploitation experienced by workers prompted them to unite and demand better wages, reasonable hours, and safer working environments. This collective action resulted in strikes, protests, and the formation of labor unions. Over time, these movements successfully pressured governments and employers to implement reforms such as child labor laws and workplace safety regulations.
• Evaluate how the industrial working class influenced economic theories and policies in the 19th century.
  • The existence and struggles of the industrial working class significantly influenced economic theories and policies in the 19th century, particularly through thinkers like Karl Marx. Marx analyzed how capitalism exploited workers, proposing that class struggle was central to understanding economic systems. This perspective contributed to discussions about socialism and communism as potential alternatives to capitalism. The awareness of worker struggles also led policymakers to consider reforms aimed at improving labor conditions, ultimately shaping modern labor rights legislation.

Related terms

Proletariat: The term for the working class in a capitalist society, especially those who do not own the means of production and must sell their labor for wages.

Factory System: An organizational method of manufacturing that brought workers and machines together in one place, increasing efficiency but often resulting in poor working conditions.

Luddite Movement: A social movement of English workers in the early 19th century who protested against the introduction of labor-saving machinery, fearing it would threaten their jobs.