Topic 5.8 Reactions to the Industrial Economy from 1750 to 1900
Learning Objective
Explain the causes and effects of calls for changes in industrial societies from 1750 to 1900.
In response to the social and economic changes brought about by industrial capitalism, some governments, organizations, and individuals promoted various types of political, social, educational, and urban reforms
In industrialized states, many workers organized themselves, often in labor unions, to improve working conditions, limit hours, and gain higher wages. Workers’ movements and political parties emerged in different areas, promoting alternative visions of society
Discontent with established power structures encouraged the development of various ideologies, including those espoused by Karl Marx, and the ideas of socialism and communism.
In response to the expansion of industrializing states, some governments in Asia and Africa, including the Ottoman Empire and Qing China, sought to reform and modernize their economies and militaries. Reform efforts were often resisted by some members of government or established elite groups.
Reading Questions
The reading questions are below each paragraph in red.
Political Reforms in the West
Social Protest in Europe & Friendly Societies
For most of the working class people in Europe during the First Industrial Revolution, life was traveling from harsh living conditions at home to harsh working conditions in factories. Those working conditions led to social protests from below. Man created "friendly societies." Using members dues these societies provided insurance against sickness, a decent funeral and an opportunity for a social life. Below is part of the rules for one such society. "Whereas it has been an Ancient Custom in this Kingdom for Divers Artists to Meet together and to unite themselves into Society (But more especially for those who Follow any Art or Mystery) to promote Amity and true Christian Charity" ... Rules of the Second Mechanic Society, Plymouth, 1794' Luddites Other groups that protested included the Luddites who were displaced artisans whose jobs were taken by the new factories. They would go around destroying factory machines as a form of protest. Parliament passed a measure to make machine-breaking a capital offense. |
Trade Unions
Initially, union in England and most of Europe were illegal, but by 1824, England legalized labor unions. Unions were able to organize workers. They would meet with the factory owners to negotiate labor contracts that included better wages, but more importantly for this time, safer working conditions. When factory owners did not want to meet their demands for change, unions would strike or stop working. Fear of not producing and not making profit was the incentive for owners to meet with the unions. At first, their strikes and protests as well as the ideas of communism being developed frightened the upper classes.
Initially, union in England and most of Europe were illegal, but by 1824, England legalized labor unions. Unions were able to organize workers. They would meet with the factory owners to negotiate labor contracts that included better wages, but more importantly for this time, safer working conditions. When factory owners did not want to meet their demands for change, unions would strike or stop working. Fear of not producing and not making profit was the incentive for owners to meet with the unions. At first, their strikes and protests as well as the ideas of communism being developed frightened the upper classes.
Robert Owen, (1771-1858) a wealthy textile manufacturer, argued that the answer was in creating communities of workers where workers would be treated well. He created one such community called New Harmony where people worked only 10 hour work days, workers had spacious housing, education for children and decent wages. Soon, the town soon became overcrowded, lacked sufficient housing, and was unable to produce enough to become self-sufficient. The experiment ended in 1827.
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Improving Social Conditions
Britain and other European countries began to develop a sizeable middle class. Middle class people did not suffer the same as the working class. Unions also help with wages rising and ending child labor. Cheap imported food from colonizing improved everyone's diet. As English male workers gained the right to vote, politicians had an incentive to listen to their needs. This meant sanitary reform. Sewer systems were created in cities. Trash began to be picked up. Building codes, fire departments and police began to spring up making cities safer. Laissez Faire economics with no government intervention was dead in the West. Government reforms did not allow for violent communism to fully develop in Europe and the United States. But what is Communism exactly?
Britain and other European countries began to develop a sizeable middle class. Middle class people did not suffer the same as the working class. Unions also help with wages rising and ending child labor. Cheap imported food from colonizing improved everyone's diet. As English male workers gained the right to vote, politicians had an incentive to listen to their needs. This meant sanitary reform. Sewer systems were created in cities. Trash began to be picked up. Building codes, fire departments and police began to spring up making cities safer. Laissez Faire economics with no government intervention was dead in the West. Government reforms did not allow for violent communism to fully develop in Europe and the United States. But what is Communism exactly?
What
Marxism
Essential Question: What is the promise of Communism, Socialism, Democratic Socialism? What are the limitations of each?
The Industrial Revolution brought dangerous working conditions, low and unequal wages, long work hours and child labor to the large working classes of Western Europe. This heavily influenced German philosopher Karl Marx, who witnessed the brutal conditions of the Industrial Revolution in Britain. Inspired by the French Revolution’s message of equality for all citizens, Marx introduced a profound perspective of world history in a pamphlet called The Communist Manifesto. Within it, Marx reinterprets history from the bottom classes’ perspective, seeing how capitalists maintained their controlling grip over the large majority of people and predicts how workers will revolt against capitalism in order to achieve economical equality on a global scale.
Karl Marx’s View of History
According to Karl Marx, “the history of all existing societies is the history of class struggle.” One of the key factors in studying history is understanding the relationship between various classes. Class is determined through a combination of wealth and power. Throughout history, according to Marx, “we have found almost everywhere a complicated arrangement of society into various classes.” At the top are the wealthy and powerful while the weak and powerless sit at the bottom; in-between, various levels. Since the beginning of human civilizations, the elite classes have abused the labor of the lower classes: emperor and peasant, king and subject, master and slave, etc. The relationship between the oppressors and the oppressed has always been a controversial one, as it has always benefitted the elite at the expense of the lower classes. As elites increased their mistreatment of the labor of the lower classes, they also increased class tensions and even peasant rebellions. Marx believes racial, religious, and political conflicts distract most people from the reality of the class struggle, allowing the elite class to flourish without much resistance from the lower classes.
Karl Marx’s Definition of an Industrial Society
Industrialization resulted in the simplification of the European social class structure. Marx’s believes the European class structure was originally divided into three classes:
According to Marx, however, industrialization transformed European society into two classes⎯the bourgeoisie (pronounced boo-zwah-zee) and proletariat (pronounced pro-le-tear-ee-ot). Marx states, “the ranks of the skilled middle class sink gradually into the proletariat, partly because their specialized skills are rendered worthless” by the industrialized machines and factories. This meant that the skills or education the middle class had were no longer valuable since machines can do the work faster and cheaper. As industrialization spread, the middle class sank into the proletariat. Marx further argued that these two classes were extremely hostile because the bourgeoisie oppressed the proletariat through low wages, poor working conditions, and violent abuse as a way to achieve larger profits.
Phase One of the Proletariat Revolution: Trade Unions
As industry further developed, cities expanded and became more concentrated with proletariat workers that operated the factories. As their numbers grew, so too did their strength. Workers began to form trade unions against the bourgeoisie. Trade unions are organizations that fight on behalf of workers’ rights: better wages, safer working conditions, shorter hours, no child labor, etc. They used the power of the strike (the refusal to work until demands are met) to remind the bourgeoisie of its dependence on the labor supplied by the proletariat. Unfortunately, when the two branches of the bourgeoisie⎯the capitalists and the government⎯declared trade unions and strikes as illegal because they stopped production and economic growth. Not surprisingly then, violent riots often occurred between the two classes when police forces attempt to stop the workers’ protests or trade unions.
Phase Two of the Proletariat Revolution: Socialism
When the demands made by the proletariat were not met, the strikes and riots became increasingly violent. According to Marx, the large proletariat class would eventually become more aware of its strength and turn its anger against the bourgeoisie within their own nation. They would realize that the only way their goals could be attained was through the “forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions.” In other words, the proletariat would realize that economic equality would only become a reality if the factors of production (resources, labor, & technology) were forcibly taken from the bourgeoisie. As such, the proletariat would start a violent revolution against the capitalists and the government that supports capitalism. Once victory is achieved, the bourgeois capitalists would be eliminated and all their wealthy and property would be seized for the proletariat. They would replace the existing bourgeoisie government with a “Dictatorship of the Proletariat”—a socialist government that represents the interests of the nation’s working class, not the wealthy elite. Instead of having capitalists, the socialist government controls all factors of production. That means the government controls all economic production (what goods are produced and how much; the workers’ hours and wages) as well as the price of all goods the markets. In theory, since the socialist government represents the proletariat, they make sure working and livings conditions better for the working class. The government would redistribute the nation’s wealth more equally to where class divisions that once divided society fade away. Socialism, according to Marx, is a truly democracy because it brings about social, political, and economic equality
Phase Three of the Proletariat Revolution: Communism
To increase profits, industrial capitalists globally pursued for more natural resources, labor, and markets to sell their mass produced goods. Furthermore, the new transportational technologies of the industrial era (railroads, steamships, etc.) made the European control over non-industrialized regions (Latin America, Africa, and Asia) possible. While selling goods on a global scale, the bourgeoisie thereby created a global proletariat. In one way or another, Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans were exploited both by bourgeoisie in their native homeland and from Europe. Marx felt that exploitation on a global level would eventually lead to global violent revolution. Workers around the world would one day recognize the fact that their allegience lies not to the nation or economy that oppresses them, but to the proletariat that wants to destroy the shackles of capitalism. When Marx proclaimed “WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!,” he was calling for the global proletariat to come together and violently overthrow the global capitalist sytem that has exploited them for years. With this action, the final stage of the proletariat revolution--Communism—would come in full form. After the destruction of capitalist societies, Marx predicted the creation of a global classless society. Racial, religious, and political conflicts would stop when economic equality is achieved throughout the world. Property would be shared among the community and people would work for their necessities, not their selfish desires. With the destruction of capitalism, national governments and empires would cease to exist as the global community realized that harmony arose from cooperation and the elimination of greed.
Karl Marx’s View of History
According to Karl Marx, “the history of all existing societies is the history of class struggle.” One of the key factors in studying history is understanding the relationship between various classes. Class is determined through a combination of wealth and power. Throughout history, according to Marx, “we have found almost everywhere a complicated arrangement of society into various classes.” At the top are the wealthy and powerful while the weak and powerless sit at the bottom; in-between, various levels. Since the beginning of human civilizations, the elite classes have abused the labor of the lower classes: emperor and peasant, king and subject, master and slave, etc. The relationship between the oppressors and the oppressed has always been a controversial one, as it has always benefitted the elite at the expense of the lower classes. As elites increased their mistreatment of the labor of the lower classes, they also increased class tensions and even peasant rebellions. Marx believes racial, religious, and political conflicts distract most people from the reality of the class struggle, allowing the elite class to flourish without much resistance from the lower classes.
- What does Marx argue is the essential idea in understanding history?
- What determines someone’s class?
- What is the relationship between the high and low classes?
Karl Marx’s Definition of an Industrial Society
Industrialization resulted in the simplification of the European social class structure. Marx’s believes the European class structure was originally divided into three classes:
- The bourgeoisie: capitalists who control the factors of production
- The middle class: skilled artisans or educated men that manage the factors of production
- The proletariat: the working class who sell their labor for wages
According to Marx, however, industrialization transformed European society into two classes⎯the bourgeoisie (pronounced boo-zwah-zee) and proletariat (pronounced pro-le-tear-ee-ot). Marx states, “the ranks of the skilled middle class sink gradually into the proletariat, partly because their specialized skills are rendered worthless” by the industrialized machines and factories. This meant that the skills or education the middle class had were no longer valuable since machines can do the work faster and cheaper. As industrialization spread, the middle class sank into the proletariat. Marx further argued that these two classes were extremely hostile because the bourgeoisie oppressed the proletariat through low wages, poor working conditions, and violent abuse as a way to achieve larger profits.
- Draw a social pyramid representing Europe’s class structure according to Marx.
- How does industrialization lead to only two classes?
Phase One of the Proletariat Revolution: Trade Unions
As industry further developed, cities expanded and became more concentrated with proletariat workers that operated the factories. As their numbers grew, so too did their strength. Workers began to form trade unions against the bourgeoisie. Trade unions are organizations that fight on behalf of workers’ rights: better wages, safer working conditions, shorter hours, no child labor, etc. They used the power of the strike (the refusal to work until demands are met) to remind the bourgeoisie of its dependence on the labor supplied by the proletariat. Unfortunately, when the two branches of the bourgeoisie⎯the capitalists and the government⎯declared trade unions and strikes as illegal because they stopped production and economic growth. Not surprisingly then, violent riots often occurred between the two classes when police forces attempt to stop the workers’ protests or trade unions.
- What is a trade union? What were some of the demands of trade unions?
- What is a strike? Why and how did the bourgeoisie declare trade unions and strikes illegal?
Phase Two of the Proletariat Revolution: Socialism
When the demands made by the proletariat were not met, the strikes and riots became increasingly violent. According to Marx, the large proletariat class would eventually become more aware of its strength and turn its anger against the bourgeoisie within their own nation. They would realize that the only way their goals could be attained was through the “forcible overthrow of all existing social conditions.” In other words, the proletariat would realize that economic equality would only become a reality if the factors of production (resources, labor, & technology) were forcibly taken from the bourgeoisie. As such, the proletariat would start a violent revolution against the capitalists and the government that supports capitalism. Once victory is achieved, the bourgeois capitalists would be eliminated and all their wealthy and property would be seized for the proletariat. They would replace the existing bourgeoisie government with a “Dictatorship of the Proletariat”—a socialist government that represents the interests of the nation’s working class, not the wealthy elite. Instead of having capitalists, the socialist government controls all factors of production. That means the government controls all economic production (what goods are produced and how much; the workers’ hours and wages) as well as the price of all goods the markets. In theory, since the socialist government represents the proletariat, they make sure working and livings conditions better for the working class. The government would redistribute the nation’s wealth more equally to where class divisions that once divided society fade away. Socialism, according to Marx, is a truly democracy because it brings about social, political, and economic equality
- What are the factors of production?
- How does the proletariat obtain the factors of production from the bourgeoisie?
- What does a socialist government do to help the proletariat?
Phase Three of the Proletariat Revolution: Communism
To increase profits, industrial capitalists globally pursued for more natural resources, labor, and markets to sell their mass produced goods. Furthermore, the new transportational technologies of the industrial era (railroads, steamships, etc.) made the European control over non-industrialized regions (Latin America, Africa, and Asia) possible. While selling goods on a global scale, the bourgeoisie thereby created a global proletariat. In one way or another, Africans, Asians, and Latin Americans were exploited both by bourgeoisie in their native homeland and from Europe. Marx felt that exploitation on a global level would eventually lead to global violent revolution. Workers around the world would one day recognize the fact that their allegience lies not to the nation or economy that oppresses them, but to the proletariat that wants to destroy the shackles of capitalism. When Marx proclaimed “WORKERS OF THE WORLD UNITE!,” he was calling for the global proletariat to come together and violently overthrow the global capitalist sytem that has exploited them for years. With this action, the final stage of the proletariat revolution--Communism—would come in full form. After the destruction of capitalist societies, Marx predicted the creation of a global classless society. Racial, religious, and political conflicts would stop when economic equality is achieved throughout the world. Property would be shared among the community and people would work for their necessities, not their selfish desires. With the destruction of capitalism, national governments and empires would cease to exist as the global community realized that harmony arose from cooperation and the elimination of greed.
- How does capitalism create a global proletariat?
- What does the global proletariat do to get rid of capitalism?
- According to Marx, what is society like under communism?
- What are two differences between socialism and communism?