Industrialism Case

On the forefront of political and industrial revolution in Western Europe, employment between 1750 and 1850 was divided between two main sectors of production, the Cottage industry and factory production. Both industries had their pros and cons, however, they each affected employer-employee relations, working conditions, family, and the standard of living uniquely.

Even at the apex of agricultural revolution with Jethro Tull, John Kay, Eli Whitney, James Watt, Samuel Crompton and crew, this time period the cottage industry was rapidly changing. It was straining employer-employee relations, worsened working conditions, deteriorated family relationships, and drastically diminished the standard of living. While families were working together in the fields, producing all necessary materials to produce specific products in the beginning of the Cottage industry, by the end they were barely meeting break even due to the children (employee) leaving for the city so that they could earn more for the family. This change from farm to city put a strain on both the employee-employer (kids to parents) relations, as well as family affairs working long hours and the lack of money. Lack of money and equipment, produced poor working conditions and a declining standard of living. Cottages having tiny, useless windows, the arid conditions of spinning cotton manually posed a health hazard to those living by inhaling the debris from the plant. The rise and fall of the cottage industry between 1750 and 1850 can be attributed to poor relations between family and employee-employer, the inability to keep up with the rise of industrial cities, poor standard of living (not that it was any better in the cities), and work conditions.

Factory production between 1750-1850 completely changed the world and economies. However, while doing so, it came with the price of poor employee-employer relations, lower standards of living, and hazardous working conditions. Employers were strict and unfair towards the employee. Workers