Factory System

Definition

The factory system refers to the organizational structure and production methods that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, characterized by the centralization of manufacturing in large, specialized facilities employing wage laborers using machinery and division of labor.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The factory system replaced the traditional cottage industry model, where production occurred in small, decentralized workshops or homes.
2. Factories were typically located near sources of power, such as waterways or coal, to drive the machinery used in manufacturing.
3. The use of interchangeable parts and division of labor allowed for increased specialization and efficiency in the production process.
4. Factory owners were able to exert greater control over the workforce, leading to concerns about worker exploitation and poor working conditions.
5. The rise of the factory system was a key driver of urbanization, as workers and their families migrated to cities to find employment in the new industrial centers.

Review Questions

• Explain how the factory system differed from the traditional cottage industry model and the impact this had on production methods.
  • The factory system represented a significant shift from the traditional cottage industry model, where production occurred in small, decentralized workshops or homes. Factories were centralized, large-scale facilities that employed wage laborers and utilized machinery and division of labor to increase productivity and efficiency. This allowed for the mass production of goods, which was a marked contrast to the more individualized, artisanal approach of the cottage industry. The transition to the factory system was a key driver of industrialization, as it enabled the rapid expansion of manufacturing and the transformation of economies from primarily agricultural to industrial.
• Describe the role of mechanization and the division of labor in the factory system and how these innovations impacted worker skills and employment.
  • The factory system was characterized by the extensive use of machinery and the division of labor. Mechanization, the introduction of machines to perform tasks previously done manually, allowed for increased productivity and efficiency in the manufacturing process. The division of labor, where workers specialized in a specific, limited set of operations rather than being responsible for the entire production process, further enhanced efficiency. However, these innovations also had significant impacts on the workforce. The specialized, repetitive nature of factory work often led to the deskilling of workers, as their roles became more narrowly defined and less reliant on traditional craftsmanship. This, in turn, affected the employment prospects and bargaining power of workers, as their skills were less transferable and they faced increased competition for jobs.
• Analyze the social and economic consequences of the factory system, including the concerns about worker exploitation and the role of the factory system in driving urbanization.
  • The rise of the factory system had far-reaching social and economic consequences. Factory owners were able to exert greater control over the workforce, leading to concerns about worker exploitation and poor working conditions, including long hours, unsafe environments, and low wages. This contributed to the emergence of labor movements and efforts to improve the rights and protections of factory workers. Additionally, the factory system was a key driver of urbanization, as workers and their families migrated to cities to find employment in the new industrial centers. This rapid growth of urban populations strained existing infrastructure and resources, leading to the development of crowded, unsanitary living conditions in many industrial cities. The factory system thus played a central role in transforming both the economic and social fabric of the regions where it took hold during the Industrial Revolution.

Related terms

Industrialization:

The process of developing manufacturing and other industries on a large scale, transforming an economy from primarily agricultural to one based on the factory production of goods.

Division of Labor: The specialization of tasks, where workers focus on a specific, limited set of operations rather than being responsible for the entire production process.

Mechanization:

The introduction of machinery to perform tasks previously done manually, increasing productivity and efficiency.