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Economic impact of the industrial revolution
Economic effect of the industrial revolution
Economic effect of the industrial revolution
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As Great Britain entered the Industrial Revolution during the late 18th, early 19th century, a new ideology was transforming the nation’s political and socioeconomic principles: liberalism. Deeply rooted from the ideals of liberty and independence from the Enlightenment period and the French and American revolutions, liberalism supported a self-ruled, constitutional government whose primary concerns were protecting the people and their natural rights from internal and external forces and maintaining public institutions. It also centered on a laissez-faire economy that encouraged free trade and the pursuit of one’s self-interest. In addition, the people lived in a meritocracy-based society where anyone, according to liberalism, could attain
The poor had to fend for themselves on the grounds that government interference would constrain individual freedom, lead to government dependence, and hamper with the natural laws of the market. As a result of these liberal values, the Poor Law came to be in 1834, which made workhouses the only source of relief for the needy. It first promised that the underprivileged would be sheltered and cared for in the workhouses in exchange for daily labor, but instead, officials and owners set the working conditions of the house so low that it becomes a terrifying last resort for many. “The New Poor Law” poster in 1837 criticized the role of British Liberal policies during the 19th century by demonstrating the false stigma attached to poverty and the lack of social support among the
The “New Poor Law” poster reveals that while the repercussions of an industrial society were declared only natural, but still unfortunate, little was done to stop the disaster from happening or to help the people who are suffering. By keeping the labor and living conditions of the poor so low, the profit margin for the middle and upper class rises that can be used to invest in factories, businesses, etc. The laissez-faire economy and minimal government structure allow the affluent to prosper at the expense of the working class. In many ways, the progress that came with Industrial Revolution may not be progress after
The economy was dramatically failing because the wealth had been handed out unfairly and much of the industry workers in the mining factories decimated during the accidents that occurred in those horrible working conditions. Due to the corruption of the government in the Gilded age, which lasted from the 1870 to the 1900s, most of the working class poor were barely struggling to stay alive and more family members had no choice but go into the labor force to provide for the family. The robber barons were held to much hostility in the society of American Capitalism. The society tried to look at the world from a scientific perspective, that according to Social Darwinist’s theory in America, the human society was viewed in regards to the working class poor and the issues of poverty as a result of their own failure, the lack of their own character, and the inability to adapt to their circumstances, rather than focusing on the issues of the unfair and hostile working conditions that the poor working class had faced.
In fact, many believed the poor were just worthless idlers who were not even trying to better there own situations, but instead were taking the high roads away from taxes and worries (Document 11). There were many observed instances in which those in poverty, when given the opputinity to better their lives, chose to stay poor and recieve handouts. One such cause comes from William Turner, and English Physican for Lord Earl of Somerset when he recounts how poor folks often begged on the Earl's door but when Turner offered to help health wise, they chose to stay sick and beg (Document 6). Similar to modern day abusers of the American Wellfare system, officals became very angry with idlers who did nothing but feed off the wealth of the working class in the form of alms. They even believed that idlers should be expelled from their communites as they only bring economics down (Document 5). Many also thought that in order received any aid at all a person must be working. Reforms such as the Workhouse Test Act in 1723, though this occured later than the period of discussion, were a result of these opinions. This act, among others, required that people work a set amount of hours before they could receive any aid. Even the famous Cardinal Richelieu of France believed that the idlers were “good-for-nothings” who were restricting those who actually needed help from getting it while they were being lazy and greedy (Document 8). This opinion of certain poor indivudals being lazy and abusing resources remains amoung those in power even today in
happening in the world, with more and more people just accepting the new social classes and not protesting their unfairness. This source not only helps us understand the living conditions of the time but also the change in society that occurred during the Industrial
The Industrial Age brought much hunger, poverty, and despair with its many technological innovations aimed to make man’s life better. Although Kuyper and Marx agreed that social conditions in the Industrial Age were not acceptable, they differed on the cause and solution to the poverty and despair in the modern world. Kuyper’s approach to the problem of poverty is like minimally invasive surgery, less damaging but more time-intensive. Marx’s approach, however, is like amputation with no cauterization, quick but with little chance of recovery. Marx seeks to heal a wound by creating another; Kuyper seeks to heal through correcting the heart of his age.
Following the French and Indian war, a great debt rested on the shoulders of Great Britain. In order to help alleviate this debt, the British Parliament imposed taxes on the colonies. This not only enraged the colonists at the time, but it also showed them the King was power-hungry. The colonists soon became aware of the fact that they were not being accurately represented. From then on, the people within the colonies knew that independence from Great Britain was necessary in order to thrive as a nation. The liberalism philosophy had the greatest impact on America’s decision to gain freedom from the mother country because it convinced individuals that the people should be able to pursue their own self-interests. Similarly, it made the colonists realize that Great Britain’s economic policies not only hurt their economy at home, but it also had a devastating impact around the world. Evidence for this can be found within the pamphlet Common Sense written by Thomas Paine. Further evidence can be found in the Declaration of Independence, the document which declared the United States an independent nation from Great Britain.
The Elizabeth Poor Law advocated and placed responsibility of the poor to the churches and government. If parishes could not meet the responsibilities, counties were required to assume relief-giving functions. The government became the chief enforcer of poor relief. However, the local parishes fulfilled their welfare responsibilities in several ways. They provided outdoor relief to persons in the homes; provided indoor relief to person in special institutions that came to be variously known as almshouse, poorhouses or workhouses; or required person to become indenture servants or apprentices. It also required relatives to care for their impoverished relatives. The poor were provided with unemployment relief, initiated works; regulated local prices to help poor persons; gave in-kind assistance such a as food, clothing, and wood, provided health care; and removed children from abusive households’ and gave legal protection . Many local jurisdictions possessed “laws of settlement” that entitled people to receive local poor law relief after a year’s residence.
Karl Marx who was born in 1818-1883 has been established as one of the most influential thinkers and writers of modern times. He is a socialist amongst a philosopher who is recognized for his devotion to economic society and has left a lasting impression on the world. He is mostly respected for envisioning a society where everyone would be happy. Marx wrote the Communist Manifesto in the middle of the 19th century which was an altering time in European history. The Industrial Revolution was changing society rapidly and radically. New technologies were coming out vigorously and many spoke of great changes to come. The idea of social engineering became admired by those that believed in advanced technology and an enlightened world. Many believed in the notion of tearing down old and dysfunctional systems in hopes of replacing them with new and improved visions. Revolts began in Italy then took hold in Paris in February. From Paris they spread to most European capitals and parts of Latin America with over 50 countries affected. Moreover, Marx’s work was published on February 21 1848 during the uprising in Paris and on the eve of the revolution of Berlin and elsewhere. The revolutions of 1848 remain the most widespread wave in European history, but within one year, reactionary forces regained control. Revolutions collapsed, and in most countries, monarchies were re-established. Still, 1848 decisively shaped the European political landscape. In most countries the restored monarchies expanded the power of the liberal bourgeoisie as a bulwark against the proletarian classes. Marx’s work did not cause the revolutions but is best read as an interpretation of the events on the ground and an attempt to direct them. Even though, Karl Marx be...
The Industrial Revolution of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries was arguably the most important turning point in history. It transformed the manufacture of goods from craftsmanship to commercialism, exponentially increasing output and decreasing production cost leading to prosperity and an unprecedented supply of goods for the markets of the world. Industrialization and mass production was the fuel which ignited the flame of capitalism which was already established creating bringing sweeping changes in wealth and its distribution. Within a few generations the very fabric of society was virtually remade as millions left the farms and villages of the countryside for jobs in the cities. This monumental change did not immediately sweep the entire globe, instead it remained concentrated in the countries of western Europe and the United States, thus setting the stage for the hierarchy of nations in the world, which as changed only slightly since. While there are several contributing factors which facilitated this state of affairs, the overwhelming reason for its existence can be compared to a crooked poker game with the West was dealing a stacked deck of cards to the rest of the world. The industrialized countries used restrictive trade legislation, military force at times, and most importantly exploited regional conflicts between ethnic groups to create a hierarchy or class system of nations, the effects of which can still be seen today. Westerners thought themselves superior both culturally and intellectually to the people of places like Egypt, India and the rest of Asia. Thus rather than seeing themselves as exploiting foreign populations and cultures, they instead saw as serving the greater good for humanity by uplifting...
Once people realized that change was possible, they started to try and change things themselves. Before the industrial revolution people had no idea how beneficial the concept a free market economy could be, especially with the right to private property and the rule of law in place to prevent anyone from trying to take away from their success. Things began to change, factories were built, the caste system was somewhat eliminated by judging one’s worth based on money instead of birthright, and people began to make money. Years later we look at the industrial revolution and marvel at how we could have been stuck in a stiff monarchy if not for the liberal ideas of a few dreamers. We see the right to own property and the idea that nobody is above the law as a must, even though at one point it seemed
The Industrial Revolution was a period of major industrialization where a handicraft economy became dominated by Machinery during the late 1700s and the early 1800s in Britain. Manufacturing was often done in people’s homes by the use of hand tools or basic machines. The economic systems of capitalism and socialism emerged as a response to the problems of the Industrial Revolution. These philosophies had a major impact in the way people think. Capitalism, also known as Laissez Faire economics, was a philosophy which originated from a Scottish man named Adam Smith which were addressed in his book “The Wealth of Nations” (1776). He believed that individuals should own their own means of production with no interference from the government, and
The Industrial Revolution was a period from 1750 to 1850 where agriculture, manufacturing, transportation, and technology went through a period of significant change. These changes had a profound impact on the social and cultural conditions of the time, beginning in the Untied Kingdom and spreading throughout Western Europe, North America, and the rest of the world. The Industrial Revolution, considered a major turning point in history, effected almost every aspect of daily life; through new discoveries in technology came new jobs; through new jobs came new working conditions; through new working conditions came new laws and new politics, the repercussions of which extend to today. As Crump emphasizes: ‘The world as we have come to know it in the twenty-first century is impossible to understand without looking at the foundations laid – mainly in the English-speaking world of the eighteenth century – in the course of what is now known, but not then, as the ‘Industrial Revolution’ .
Charles Dickens shows notable amounts of originality and morality in his novels, making him one of the most renowned novelists of the Victorian Era and immortalizing him through his great novels and short stories. One of the reasons his work has been so popular is because his novels reflect the issues of the Victorian era, such as the great indifference of many Victorians to the plight of the poor. The reformation of the Poor Law 1834 brings even more unavoidable problems to the poor. The Poor Law of 1834 allows the poor to receive public assistance only through established workhouses, causing those in debt to be sent to prison. Unable to pay debts, new levels of poverty are created. Because of personal childhood experiences with debt, poverty, and child labor, Dickens recognizes these issues with a sympathetic yet critical eye. Dickens notices that England's politicians and people of the upper class try to solve the growing problem of poverty through the Poor Laws and what they presume to be charitable causes, but Dickens knows that these things will not be successful; in fact they are often inhumane. Dickens' view of poverty and the abuse of the poor
The Industrial Revolution was a huge turning point for the world. Everyday machines we see today were in their beginning stages from the 1700s to the 1900s. Normal villages quickly became large cities, and farms would be easily managed by newer methods of farming. There were also ideas on how the market should run, which led to the creation of capitalism and communism. During this time of creativity, popular figures such as Adam Smith and Karl Marx argued on what would be the most ideal type of market, new ideas spread, such as the change of Utilitarianism to Socialism, and innovation was skyrocketing and bringing more ideas as well as more profit.
During this era England is experiencing rapid industrial growth. Working to transform this very country into even more of an industrial giant to present the people with more opportunities than ever before. But does all this change benefit the collective as a whole? Contrary to popular belief rather than the industrial revolution being England's saving grace. It is in fact the very revolution that will benefit the few of a newly created class of wealthy entrepreneurs. And leave the rest of the society’s workforce to live in poor conditions, with unacceptable wages. According to Karl Marx class systems that exist today between the bourgeoisie and proletariat class only separates the human race and creates such distinct boundaries that root back to the very fundamental complications of society. Marx argues that class antagonisms under a capitalistic market only resolves in the protoliterate class’ conquest for power and social justice, to form a society with no social or economic class, communism.
The Poor Law Act was amendment in 1834. This Act was designed to reducing the finance problems which caused by giving money to the poor. People who wanted help had to go to the workhouses and work there. The Act ensured that people who worked in workhouses were housed, fed and had clothes including uniforms to wear. So the people had to work for several hours every day. (BBC, The Poor Law, 2014)