Life and Society in Europe during the Industrial Revolution

 

The industrial revolution changed life in Europe. Before this historic occurrence, agriculture was the main economic activity. However, the increased population in the mid-eighteenth century called for other means of income. This was concurrent with the rise of laissez-faire capitalists who advocated for the pursuit of private profits. More industries were, therefore, established. Urbanization was on the rise as more people moved to urban areas in search of employment (Steckel and Floud 17). The typical daily life of the workers involved long working hours. This applied to men, women, and children. Women’s lifestyle changed drastically as they took up jobs in textile industries. Children were not spared as they were also overworked in the factories. In addition to long working hours, the working environment was dangerous with regular accidents occurring (Steckel and Floud 66). There was no employee welfare. Additionally, the workers lived in constant fear of unemployment and hunger.

Such changes in life remodeled society in Europe. Different social classes emerged. They included the middle class and the working class. These were distinguished by their wealth. On one side were the prosperous industrialists who used the workers’ labor to accumulate wealth. On the other hand was the poor working class who languished in poverty amid meager pay. Several groups were displeased by such conditions and rose to call for change. Among these were welfare liberals. Together with trade unions, they advocated for improvement in social welfare, labor rights, and education, among others. Consequently, towards the mid-nineteenth century, the government intervened to set labor laws (Steckel and Floud 170). Despite the tough life during the industrial revolution, it was marked by several advancements. Such include the development of transportation systems such as the railroad which eased the movement of people and goods.

 

Work Cited

Steckel, Richard H., and Roderick Floud, eds. Health and Welfare during Industrialization. University of Chicago Press, 2008.