• 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
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