Responses to Conditions Created by Classical Liberalism
Labour Standards and Unions
Factory Acts: passed by British gov't to make fairer and better working conditions for women and children, especially.
- No children could be employed under the age of 9; children 13 plus could only work no more than 9 hours per day or 48 hours per week.
- Compulsory education for kids up to the age of 10.
- 10-14 could only work half days
- These changes still looked at the worth of the individual and led to the key idea of equal opportunity.
- Labour Unions are groups of people who try to improve the working conidtions/wages for either a specific group or an entire industry.
- Use strength in numbers to improve wages/conditions.
- Use strikes or work stoppages to get owners or management to new terms of contract.
- Review the Winnipeg General Strike (pg 137)
Challenges of Income Gap and Cost of Living
- People were forced to adapt to new changes in technology but some refused these changes.
- The Luddites protested many changes to the economy brought about by the Industrial Revolution. Skilled workers were losing their jobs and wages were decreasing.
- Between 1812 and 1816, Luddites broke into factories, destroyed machinery and attacked business owners as they saw this new way of life as a threat to their own.
- May political and social movements started as a result of the harsh conditions.
- During this time of great wealth also came the time of increasing and devastating poverty.
- For many, the standard of living did not improve. This economic growth didn't take into consideration the cost of living, which was usually more than the wages would allow.
- Laissez-faire capitalism often lent itself to cruel and inhumane treatment of workers, pollution, long working hours, and city slums.
- Read "A Contemporary Example of the Income Gap" on page 121
Industrialization
Results of Classical Liberal Values
is a process where society changes from agricultural and hand-made production to machine-driven mass production in factories.
- Laissez-faire capitalism was put into practice-business owners were free to RISK investing in other businesses, building factories, purchasing machines & supplies, and hiring workers to make and sell products.
- Growth in upper-middle classes=spending money on luxuries=CONSUMERISM
- Also called the Nouveau Riche (imitated the wealthy upper class)
- Competition grew=homes, clothing, education, etc.
- Few benefited; devastating for many.
There was a mass migration of people into urban areas. Massive population growth in cities led to overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions.
The Industrial Revolution
- Huge economic & social changes occurred
- Extensive mechanization of production=shift from home-based hand manufacturing in rural (countryside) areas to large-scale factory production in urban (city) centers.
- There was a decrease in skilled rural workers and a rise of unskilled urban workers.
Robber Barons or Captains of Industry?
Some business owners were called "Robber Barons" as they were seen as "greedy and ruthless" because of the great profits they made off the "backs of others." On the other side, many would say that these same men were "Captains of Industry" because they laid the foundations for the economic power of many countries today. They were competitive, motivated, took risks and worked hard.
Summary
Chapter 5: Impacts & Responses to Classical Liberalism PART 1
As told by my secret crush, John Greene, from Crash Course History:)