2. Affects of the Growing Industrial
Revolution
During the Industrial Revolution (1800s) American
society shifted from a predominately agricultural
based lifestyle to an urban based system, heavily
reliant upon wage labor. In the 1800s
urbanization increased, and therefore people
began to see wage labor as their source of
income for necessities.
Apprenticeship was no longer rampant in America
as inventions and factories became a larger part
of American life. Because of this fact, the
employer could accept many untrained workers
instead of training them for years as an
apprentice.
4. Who are the Laborers?
Children under the age of ten were a significant
portion of the American Labor system. For
example, in Samuel Slater’s mill the first laborers
were nine children all under the age of twelve.
Factories would employ young and old, African
American, White, and Immigrant workers.
It was common to see women working in factories
most likely in sewing circles.
6. Immigration’s Influence
Irish immigrants poured into the states after a
devastating potato famine hit their homeland in
the mid 1840’s
German immigrants migrated to America due to
the collapse in their home government and their
craving for democracy.
American factory workers resented the heavy flow
of immigration because of the competition it
created for the factory jobs. (American factories
did not require much experience, and the
employers would hire almost anyone)
8. Factory Life
The average work day was 12-14 hours, however
it could reach up to 19 hours per day
Factories were poorly lit and heated.
Machinery was very dangerous due to moving
parts that the laborers had to maneuver through
(high death rates).
Children brutally whipped, often in a “whipping
room”
Wages were exceptionally low, especially for the
number of hours worked per day
10. Employers
Under the domestic system of
apprenticeship, employers would become friendly
and close to their employees due to the small
number and the training the employees for
multiple years.
In the factory system the employer would have
hundreds of workers doing simple tasks that
required little to no experience. Employees were
easily replaced.
11. Striker’s Conditions
They had ambitions such as a ten hour work
day, higher wages, and more sufficient working
conditions that would benefit all ages. They
requested education for their children as well as
heartless disciplinary action such as
imprisonment on account of the laborer’s debt.
12. Specific Unions
The National Labor Union was formed in 1866 to
persuade congress to pass an 8 hour day for
federal workers
The Knights of Labor was formed in 1869 by
Uriah Stephens to emphasize the importance of a
skilled worker compared to an unskilled worker.
The American Federation of Labor was founded
by Samuel Gompers in 1886 to benefit skilled
workers.
14. Violent Strikes
Children employed in the silk mills in Paterson,
New Jersey go on strike in pursuit of an 11 hour
work day 6 days a week (1835).
In 1831, 1600 members of the United Tailoresses
of New York revolt for higher wages.
In 1824, in Pawtucket Rhode Island, 102 women
go on strike against increasing hours and
decreasing wages. (1st women strike)
16. Commonwealth vs. Hunt
In 1842, the problem arose when an employer
threatened to fire an employee who had
supposedly broken the rules in his factory (he
was also fearing a strike). The judge, Lemuel
Shaw decided that the labor unions have a right
to open their own closed shops, overall legalizing
the idea of a labor union.
17. Labor Change from 1830-1860
Labor unions existed before 1800, but increased
during the Industrial Revolution time period.
Only 24 strikes occurred before 1835
Striking boomed in the 1840’s especially after
Commonwealth vs. Hunt
