Mikila Williams Period 4

Prompt: Between 1750 and 1850 more and more Western Europeans were employed in cottage industry and in factory production. Analyze how these 2 types of employment affected employer-employee relations, working conditions, family relations, and the standard of living during this period.

Cottage Industry An industry in which employees work in their own homes, often using their own equipment

Factory Production The growing demand for textiles led to the creation of the world's first factories

Employer-Employee Relations Cottage Industry The employer brought materials to the employee’s home Employers sometimes accused employees of stealing materials from them because the employees didn’t make as much cloth as was expected - Employees claimed the employer didn’t give them enough materials Factory Production Employees worked in the factory instead of at their homes Cottage industry workers didn’t want to work in factories because they had to work at the pace of the machine Children were forced to work long hours in factories because of the reluctance of the cottage workers

Working Conditions Cottage Industry Factory Production Workers set their own pace Worked long and hard, but took breaks whenever they felt like it The week’s work was due to the employer by Saturday Didn’t do work from Saturday night until Tuesday Factory Production Workers had to keep pace with the machine Had to go to work everyday, and work long hours Children were forced to work, and were badly treated & overworked Later, family units worked in mills - Children worked under their mother or father - This meant the entire family worked 12-hour shifts

Family Relations Cottage Industry Worked in family units Every family member had something to do to help Women spun the cotton Men wove cotton after their wife spun it Factory Production At first, children were the main workers Eventually, adults came to work in the factories When the working people took the factory jobs, they brought with them old working traditions from the cottage industry - Came in “family units” - Children worked under their parents while in the cotton mills - Children sorted coal and worked ventilation equipment when out in the mines - Mothers hauled coal in tunnels under the surface, while fathers hewed with a shovel at the face of the ridge

Standard of Living Cottage Industry Factory Production Worked when they wanted, as long as their work was done by Saturday Brought in money, and were able to spend it on food items and clothing Factory Production Worked 12-hour days, 6 days a week Except during wartime, workers ate more food with a higher nutritional value Their diet became more varied -Ate more potatoes, dairy products, fruits, and vegetables Clothing improved Housing for working people did NOT improve