Industrial Revolution Dbq Essay

In the year 1750, the industrial revolution, also an improvement in technology began in Great Britain and spread globally. The access to trade, wealth, education, resources and population caused the industrial revolution to begin in Great Britain. While the industrial revolution caused a longer life span and harsh punishments, it also caused fatal accidents, ending in death and greater number of deaths in younger children.

The industrial revolution was composed of many positive effects. People had longer life expectancy and working conditions were tolerable. A longer life span at birth, improved over the years for cities in England. Life expectancy at birth increased from the 1850s to the 1890s in West Derby as shown in Document 4. Having a longer life expectancy increases chance to work longer. This was good for overseers and workers who had families to support. “I think that the factory is the best place for me and if

any girl wants employment, I advise them to come to Lowell”, quotes from Document 2. Women had positive experiences while working during the industrial revolution.
Punishments had been cruel and unjust.

“In vain, the child declared he was not in his power to move quicker. He was beaten by the over looker, with great severity”, as described in Document 3. If the task was not done as stated in Document 3, beatings or other harsh punishments were done to the workers. In Document 4, young women were fastened to gaols, nude, in the cold for days. Although most punishments happened to young boys and men, women could be punished also.

The larger group of male and female workers ranged from ages 11-21. The percent of younger child deaths also began to increase over time. From table 3, deaths of children aged 0-5 increased from the 1700s to the 1800s. Younger children are prone to early death due to the labor. For example, some children had to work in cramped mines. As table 2 states, there were more male workers aged 11-16, than female workers. Although males and females can do equal amounts of labor, males are more prepared to handle difficult tasks. This can also lead to deaths because females are less

powerful.
The industrial revolution contained negative effects that caused death. These deaths were caused by accidents from machinery. There were deaths from long amounts of time spent in the sun. The workers, specifically men, had fallen dead from working on very hot days, as stated in Document 3. Men had to work to support their families. Working in harsh conditions kept men from being beaten and becoming poor. Children were also involved in fatal accidents. In Document 4, it states, “A child was working on wool…as he was hardly awake, it carried him into the machinery.” Younger children were able to work in places an adult was not able to fit.