Hand Labour and Steam Power, Life of the Workers| Class 10 History Notes

Hand Labour and Steam Power, Life of the Workers – Class 10 Social Science Chapter 4 The Age of Industrialization discusses that the Age of Industrialization was a period of social and economic change that transformed a human group from an agrarian society into an industrial society. This involved an extensive reorganization of an economy for manufacturing. The Age of Industrialization is associated with an increase in polluting industries heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

In this article, we will look into the topics ‘Hand Labour and Steam Power, Life of the Workers’ in detail. It is an important topic in Class 10 Social Science. Students can go through this article to get comprehensive notes on the topics of Hand Labour Steam Power, and The Life of the Workers.

Background of Age of Industrialization

In Britain, there was no shortage of workers. Poor peasants and vagrants moved to the cities in search of jobs. The supply of workers was more than the demand, so workers were available at low wages. In India, silk and cotton goods dominated the international market in textiles before the age of machine industries. In 1854, the first cotton mill in Bombay was set up and went into production two years later.

The Age of Industrialization had a great impact on the lives of workers. They were forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions for low wages. They were also subject to the whims of their employers, who could fire them at will. The Age of Industrialization also led to the rise of a new class of workers, the factory workers. Factory workers were typically young, unmarried women who lived in dormitories provided by their employers. They worked long hours in dangerous conditions for low wages.

The Age of Industrialization was a time of great change and upheaval. It had a great impact on the lives of workers, both positive and negative. On the one hand, it led to the creation of new jobs and opportunities. On the other hand, it led to the exploitation of workers and the creation of a new class of poor.

Hand Labour and Steam Power

In Britain, there was no shortage of workers, as poor peasants and vagrants moved to cities for jobs. The supply of workers was more than the demand, leading to low wages. In India, silk and cotton goods dominated the international market before the age of machine industries. The Age of Industrialization led to the rise of factory workers, young, unmarried women who worked long hours in dangerous conditions for low wages. This period was a time of great change and upheaval, creating new jobs and opportunities but also exploitation and creating a new class of poor. In Victorian Britain, the upper classes preferred handmade products, symbolizing refinement and class. In countries with labor shortages, industrialists focused on using mechanical power to minimize the need for human labor, but Britain had no problem hiring human hands.

Life of the Workers

The abundance of labor in the market affected workers’ lives, as news of possible jobs traveled to the countryside and hundreds traveled to cities. The likelihood of getting a job depended on existing networks of friendship and kin relations, with many jobseekers spending nights under bridges or in night shelters. Seasonality of work in many industries meant prolonged periods without work, and many looked for odd jobs until the mid-nineteenth century. Wages increased in the early nineteenth century, but they do not fully reveal the welfare of workers.

The income of workers depended not only on the wage rate but also on the period of employment, as the number of days of work determined the average daily income. Fear of unemployment made workers hostile to the introduction of new technology, such as the Spinning Jenny in the woollen industry. Building activity intensified in cities after the 1840s, opening up greater opportunities for employment, such as roads, railway stations, tunnels, drainage, sewers, and rivers.

Conclusion – Hand Labour and Steam Power, Life of the Workers – Class 10 Social Science Chapter 4 The Age of Industrialization

In conclusion, the Industrial Revolution was a period of great change for the working class. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, most people worked in agriculture or as craftspeople. However, the Industrial Revolution led to the rise of factories, which required a new type of worker: the factory worker. Factory workers worked long hours in harsh conditions. They were often paid low wages and had little job security. In addition, they were often exposed to dangerous chemicals and machinery.

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Hand Labour and Steam Power, Life of the Workers- FAQs

What is the focus of Chapter 4 of Class 10 Social Science?

The chapter explores the transition from hand labor to steam power during the Industrial Revolution and its impact on workers’ lives.

How did the introduction of steam power change industries?

Steam power revolutionized industries by increasing production efficiency and output, leading to the mass production of goods.

What were the working conditions like for factory workers during the Industrial Revolution?

Factory workers faced long hours, low wages, hazardous working conditions, and lack of job security.

How did the transition to steam power affect the lives of workers?

The transition led to the mechanization of labor, displacement of traditional workers, and the emergence of factory-based employment.

How did workers respond to the challenges of industrialization?

Workers organized labor movements, strikes, and protests to demand better wages, working conditions, and labor rights.

What were the social consequences of industrialization on workers’ lives?

Industrialization led to urbanization, migration, overcrowded living conditions, and social unrest among the working class.

How did governments and employers address workers’ concerns during the Industrial Revolution?

Governments enacted labor laws, factory regulations, and social welfare reforms to address workers’ grievances and improve working conditions.