DBQ: The Industrial Revolution

At one point in history, it was lawful, even normal, to treat employees terribly, pay them unfairly, and hire people that could do more work for less pay. This period was called the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution transpired from the mid-1700s’ to the mid-1900’s. Many inventions and improvements were made during that time, but not without a cost. While some might argue that Industrialization had primarily positive consequences for society because of the advances made in the production of goods, it was actually a negative thing for society. Industrialization’s negative effects were the unsafe environment for workers, the devastation of living conditions, and the labor of children. One of the negative effects of the Industrial Revolution was the hazardous working conditions for employees. For example, “a child in a photograph by Lewis W. Hine is shown barefoot, balancing on a milk crate to reach his work. There is a …show more content…
This woman’s occupation caused her to become crooked, causing her much pain and anguish. During the Industrial Revolution, it was conventional to be weak, crooked, and in pain due to working. Not only did the revolution cause physical hazards, but also placed tension on family bonds. An excerpt from a poem written in the industrialization period reads “Before dawn my labor drives me forth Tis night when I am free” (Document 2). This means that the narrator of the poem works from before sunrise until nighttime. This puts extreme pressure and stress on the worker, and can have other negative effects as well. The subject of the poem is a parent talking about their son and the strain that their job puts on the bond between them and their loved ones. Working long hours such as these can damage family relationships, which are mostly built on quality time. Not only did the Industrial Revolution endanger workers and their lives at home, but caused a profusion of threats to the living