What were the working conditions like between 1820 and 1860?
Working conditions in all the main industrialized countries during this period were generally atrocious. Most people toiled long hours for little pay in often unsanitary and dangerous working environments. This was largely because employers held the whip-hand when it came to industrial relations. They could hire and fire as and when they felt like it, with little or no government regulation to keep them in check.
To make matters worse, the activities of labor unions were either severely restricted or outlawed altogether, so exploitation was rife. If workers didn't like their conditions—and it's fair to say that most of them did not—then it was just too bad. Without any kind of welfare or social safety net, workers had no choice but to keep at their jobs, no matter how miserable or utterly soul-destroying they were. Working people knew full well that if they quit their jobs, their employers could easily...
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find a replacement from the vast reserve army of unemployed.
Although employment conditions marginally improved over this period, due to increased government regulation, they were still nowhere near what they ought to have been. Governments still tended to side with management over labor and believed that the effective operation of free enterprise required as little regulation as possible, especially in the field of industrial relations. It wouldn't be until the early 20th-century that significant improvements in working conditions began to take place, and even then it was still an incredibly slow process.
Working conditions changed between 1820-1860. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, many workers worked in small, worker-friendly environments. The workers and owners knew each other and often knew their families. Many workers enjoyed a very good working relationship with the owners of the business.
When the Industrial Revolution arrived, workers went to work in large factories. This changed the working relationship greatly. There were many workers working in the factories. The workers often didn’t know each other, and they certainly didn’t know the owners. Working conditions deteriorated. They worked long hours for low pay. There were no health and safety regulations. As a result, it was common for workers to be injured on the job. If they got hurt, they were often replaced without any compensation. There were also kids working in the factories instead of going to school.
The poor working conditions led to the development of labor unions. The labor unions tried to help workers improve their working conditions and improve their level of pay. Between 1820-1860, many workers had poor working conditions.
How were the working conditions for Americans between 1800 and 1900?
Working conditions changed for many Americans between 1800 and 1900. In the early 1800s, most Americans either worked for themselves or worked in very small-sized working environments. The working conditions were very good and the working environment was worker friendly. The workers and the owners knew each other. Their families often knew each other, too. Worker needs were more likely to be considered and requests granted. This all changed when the factory system developed.
When the Industrial Revolution began, workers no longer worked for themselves or in small-sized environments. Workers went to work in factories. Here there were hundreds or thousands of people working. Workers rarely knew each other, and they certainly didn’t know the owners. Families rarely got together outside of work. Working conditions also changed dramatically. The factories were dimly lit and poorly ventilated. Working conditions were often unsafe and unhealthy. Worker requests were rarely granted. Workers were easily replaced if they got hurt or asked for better pay or working conditions. Workers often felt demeaned and devalued. This treatment and these working conditions led to the development of labor unions to help workers try to improve their working situation. Working conditions changed dramatically for Americans between 1800 and 1900.