Northern factories workers had some advantages and disadvantages. One advantage they had was that there were plenty of jobs available in the North. The Industrial Revolution took place in the North because the North had good ports, an abundant workforce, and a climate more suited to manufacturing than farming, and good access to resources needed for the Industrial Revolution to occur. Most of these industries were located in cities near rivers. People moved to the cities for these jobs. There were also more things to do in the cities than in the countryside.

One disadvantage northern workers faced was the growth of factories changed the work environment. Workers no longer worked in worker-friendly environments. They worked in large factories where workers, managers, and owners didn’t know each other or have a personal connection to each other. Working conditions were poor with long hours, unsafe and unhealthy environments, and low pay.