Reform Do Now: What new ideas about economics and society were fostered as a result of the Industrial Revolution?

Social Reformers Many people felt government needed to regulate hours workers were forced to work and set minimums for wages paid, and working conditions.

Philosophy Philosophy played a major role in both the advancement of the Industrial Revolution and the social reform it created a need for.

Jeremy Bentham believed in utilitarianism correct actions are those that result in the greatest happiness for the greatest number of people. Education will help you help you determine what is good for you. He believed that all actions should be judged by their utility. In other words, did they provide more pleasure than pain?

John Stuart Mill also believed in utilitarianism and that the government’s duty was to protect liberty and free thinking. He believed strongly in individual freedom, but wanted the gov’t to step in to improve the hard lives of workers. “The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will is to prevent harm to others.” Wanted to give the vote to workers and women – they would then vote for reforms

Socialism Belief that the people as a whole, rather than private individuals should own and operate the means of production, and should do it to benefit all of society. This meant the government would own things like farms, factories, railways, and large business. Goal was not to make a lot of profit, but rather, to provide for society. Believed that given this environment, people would no longer be selfish.

Utopians believed all work should be shared by the people in the community and all property should be owned in common. saw greed and selfishness as the root of all problems, and if everyone shared what they owned and worked together, there would not be rich and poor – so everyone would live peacefully.

Robert Owen Utopian and successful businessman Set up a model community in New Lanark, Scotland. Refused to use child labor, created a school, reduced work hours his mill was still successful OR

Karl Marx and Friedrich German philosophers during the 1840s They though Utopians were unrealistic dreamers. They invented “Scientific Socialism” – based on a study of history that said economics was the driving force of history

1848, published pamphlet “The Communist Manifesto” Based on the idea that a struggle between social classes was inevitable – since the labor that creates the wealth doesn’t get the wealth - will eventually lead to revolution. “Haves” were the bourgeoisie – business owners “Have nots” were the working class – proletariat. Slogan was “Workers unite!”

Workers Movements Strikes would occur when workers banded together and refused to work until demands were met. Before 1870 strikes were illegal and workers could be jailed for not working and/or disrupting business Unions were organized in order to Organize workers demands Plan actions Support workers during strikes They collected dues and were able to pay workers while strike was carried out.