How did labor conditions change in the first Industrial Revolution? (Choose 3)

Trade unions became uncommon.
Factory workers became a top social class.
People shifted from farm work to factory work.
Women and children worked in factories.
Workers worked for long hours and low pay.
People shifted from urban work to work in rural areas.

1 answer

During the first Industrial Revolution, labor conditions changed in several significant ways. Here are three key changes:

  1. People shifted from farm work to factory work. This transition marked a move from agrarian economies to industrial economies, as many individuals left rural areas to seek employment in factories in urban centers.

  2. Women and children worked in factories. Factories employed large numbers of women and children, often under harsh conditions, as they were seen as a source of cheap labor.

  3. Workers worked for long hours and low pay. Laborers often faced grueling work schedules, typically ranging from 12 to 16 hours a day, while receiving very low wages, which contributed to poor living conditions.

These changes reflect the significant social and economic shifts that took place during the Industrial Revolution.