Industrial Revolution: Reforms

Labor Unions By the 1800’s, working people became more active in politics Workers joined voluntary labor associations called unions to press for reforms

Unions: Labor Unions Negotiated between workers and their employers Bargained for better working conditions and higher pay If demands were refused, union members could strike

Labor Unions Skilled workers led the way to forming unions Why might this be? Special skills gave them extra bargaining power as they were harder to replace. Combination Acts of 1799 and 1800 (Great Britain): outlawed unions and strikes Factory workers ignored threats of jail or job loss and joined unions anyways

Labor Unions 1824-Parliament repealed the Combination Acts By 1825 unions were tolerated By 1875, Right to strike and picket peacefully Membership of about one million people.

Reforms 1830s – Parliament starts to investigate child labor issues in mines The Factory Act of 1833 Illegal to hire children under the age of 9 Children 9-12 could not work more than 8 hours a day Those 13-17 could not work more than 12 hours a day

Reforms The Mines Act of 1842 Ten Hours Act of 1847 Prevented women and children from working underground Ten Hours Act of 1847 limited women and children to working 10 hours a day in factories

Think, Pair, Share… What problems do we see with Child Labor? What new laws would you propose to parliament? What will the implications be?

Reforms The Mines Act of 1842 Ten Hours Act of 1847 Prevented women and children from working underground Ten Hours Act of 1847 limited women and children to working 10 hours a day in factories

Other Reform Movements Abolition of Slavery – Slavery existed in British colonies (but not Britain itself) – abolished in the empire in 1833 Some were morally opposed to slavery, others opposed it because they saw it as a threat to industry Cheap labor over slave labor

Other Reform Movements Women’s rights – often paid 1/3 of what men were paid Inspired by abolitionists’ work against slavery, women realized they could gain rights as well by protesting and striking