• The Industrial Revolution helped mitigate social inequalities

– weakened titled nobility

– middle class with high standard of living

– rights of the lower classes

– role of women expanded

Nobility are Weakened

• Businessmen, manufacturers, bankers achieve status/wealth of aristocrats

– Political parties

• Importance of landownership decreases

Rise of Middle Class with Rights

• Businessmen, engineers, teachers, scientists

• Lower middle class

• Liberal -> social reform

• Reform Bill of 1832 - suffrage

www.reformer802.com

Lower Classes Gain Rights

• 70% manual workers

• “Friendly societies

• 1824 trade unions legalized

– Violent strikes: ex. 1877 eastern railroad strike in US

• 1867 reform act – suffrage for factory workers and small farm owners

• Politicians legislate in favor of urban workers

www.iww.org

www.nps.gov/edis/ techimpact.htm

Role of Women is Expanded

• “Moral centers of family”

• Refuge for husbands against capitalist world

• Teaching, nursing, clerical professions

• Lower middle class jobs: ex. secretary

• Participate in strikes

en.wikipedia.orgwww.academickids.com

Sources

• Strayer

• http://history-world.org/Women%20In%20The%20Industrial%20Revolution.htm

• http://www.womeninworldhistory.com/lesson7.html

• http://www.irthebest.com/industry_Industrial_life.html

• http://www.history.com/topics/industrial-revolution