the factory system changes in production, business, & classes

THE FACTORY SYSTEMChanges in Production, Business, & Classes

Changes in Production

1. The Factory System revolutionized the way products were made through interchangeable parts, division of labor, & assembly lines. The Factory System allowed for mass production of goods.


1. The Factory System revolutionized the way products were made through interchangeable parts, division of labor, & assembly lines. The Factory System allowed for mass production of goods. Producing large quantities of goods as efficiently

as possible. What is efficiency?


1. The Factory System revolutionized the way products were made through interchangeable parts, division of labor, & assembly lines. The Factory System allowed for mass production of goods. Producing large quantities of goods as efficiently as

possible. What is efficiency?

Producing a product with minimal cost, effort, and/or waste.

Mass Production was far more efficient at producing larger quantities of goods than the Cottage Industry. Why?


1. The Factory System revolutionized the way products were made through interchangeable parts, division of labor, & assembly lines. The Factory System allowed for mass production of goods. Producing large quantities of goods as efficiently as

possible. What is efficiency?

Producing a product with minimal cost, effort, and/or waste. Mass Production was far more efficient at producing

larger quantities of goods than the Cottage Industry. Why? It took less time to make each product. The quality of each product decreased (quantity over quality).


2. The Factory System early on employed only the adults of families, but soon moved towards employing all members of the family. Why?


2. The Factory System early on employed only the adults of families, but soon moved towards employing all members of the family. Why? It was more efficient to employ entire families.

Every family member did a similar job to the one they did in the Cottage Industry.

In particular, businessmen, whenever possible, preferred hiring women & children. Why?




In particular, businessmen, whenever possible, preferred hiring women & children. Why? They were paid less, easier to control, able to fit into

smaller places. Children, often times, performed the most difficult

& dangerous tasks. Why?




In particular, businessmen, whenever possible, preferred hiring women & children. Why? They were paid less, easier to control, able to fit into

smaller places. Children, often times, performed the most difficult

& dangerous tasks. Why? They were small, easily trained, & in large numbers.


In the Cottage Industry workers… Made their own work

schedule. Chose their own jobs &

tools. Kept close family ties.

3. The working conditions also changed when compared to the Cottage Industry:




tools. Kept close family ties. Set their own wages &

prices. Determined their own

working conditions.







working conditions.

In the Factory System workers… Worked 60-70 hours, 6

days a week. Were assigned their jobs,

tools, & pace of work.







working conditions.

In the Factory System workers… Worked 60-70 hours, 6

days a week. Were assigned their jobs,

tools, & pace of work. Lost family ties in large

factories. Were paid low wages. Worked in loud, noisy, &

cramped conditions.



4. The most common injuries in the Factory System were:


4. The most common injuries in the Factory System were: Missing fingers, crushed limbs, ripped skin,

pulled hair, & removed scalps. Any loose article of clothing, a lock of hair, or

careless limb could mean serious injury.

5. Let’s look at some pictures from the Industrial Revolution & read an excerpt taken from a doctor who dealt with accidents from factories.


6. The Factory System also created a factory class system with three (3) levels:


6. The Factory System also created a factory class system with three (3) levels: Top: Business Owners (wealthy private property owners

who profited most). Middle: Managers & Foremen (educated workers who

managed production & finances). Bottom: Skilled & Unskilled Workers (workers who ran the

machines & made the products). This class system also reflected the class system in

society: At the top: In the middle: Right below the middle: At the bottom:


6. The Factory System also created a factory class system with three (3) levels: Top: Business Owners (wealthy private property owners

who profited most). Middle: Managers & Foremen (educated workers who

managed production & finances). Bottom: Skilled & Unskilled Workers (workers who ran the

machines & made the products). This class system also reflected the class system in

society: At the top: Upper Class. In the middle: Middle Class. Right below the middle: Working Class. At the bottom: Lower Class.

Middle vs. Working Class

1. The two most important groups in Factory System were the owners & the workers. These two groups depended on each other, but disliked each other. Middle Class were businessmen, entrepreneurs

who created & owned industries.


1. The two most important groups in Factory System were the owners & the workers. These two groups depended on each other, but disliked each other. Middle Class were businessmen, entrepreneurs

who created & owned industries. Their goal was to make as much money as possible

in any way. They opposed GOV involvement & believed in

laissez-faire.


1. The two most important groups in Factory System were the owners & the workers. These two groups depended on each other, but disliked each other. Middle Class were businessmen, entrepreneurs who

created & owned industries. Their goal was to make as much money as possible in

any way. They opposed GOV involvement & believed in laissez-

faire. They felt they could do what they wanted in their

factories. They saw the workers as lazy; the cure was hard-work. If this was your boss, would you dislike them?


Working Class were skilled laborers who worked for the Middle Class making products.


Working Class were skilled laborers who worked for the Middle Class making products.Their goal was to make enough money to

survive & provide for their families.They wanted a fair wage & safe working

conditions.


Working Class were skilled laborers who worked for the Middle Class making products.Their goal was to make enough money to survive

& provide for their families.They wanted a fair wage & safe working

conditions.They felt they were exploited so the owners could

make more money.They saw the owners as greedy, corrupt thieves. If you felt your boss was stealing the money you

would really be earning, what should you do?

Resistance to the Factory System

1. This conflict between the two groups is best highlighted by what each wanted in this System. Workers wanted…

Better working conditions. Higher wages. A shorter work week.

Owners wanted to keep workers… Disorganized & divided. Afraid & fearful of replacement. Laboring through violence if necessary. Why?


2. These disadvantages led to the birth in the 1830’s of the organized labor movement.


2. These disadvantages led to the birth in the 1830’s of the organized labor movement. Workers of similar skills who united into a single

organization to gain more control of labor negotiations.

A specific organized labor group is called a…




A specific organized labor group is called a union. The main weapon of organized labor is a…




A specific organized labor group is called a union. The main weapon of organized labor is a strike.





Work stoppage caused by mass refusal of laborers to work.

Advantages of strikes: Disadvantages of strikes:





Work stoppage caused by mass refusal of laborers to work.

Advantages of strikes: gain public attention, forces owners to negotiate, prevents factories from running.

Disadvantages of strikes: no pay, might lose your job, violence occurs to break the strike.


3. Despite setbacks, organized labor accomplished basic goals & continue to fight for improved working conditions. The work week was reduced to 40-50 hours, 5

days a week.



days a week. Full-time labor was reduced to 14 years old &

child labor was abolished. Children below 9 years old were sent to school; later

pushed to 18 years old.



days a week. Full-time labor was reduced to 14 years old &

child labor was abolished. Children below 9 years old were sent to school; later

pushed to 18 years old. Worker’s rights were passed (worker

compensation, sick leave, paid vacations, & health benefits).


4. Take a few minutes to answer these questions & explain your answers. At 14 years old, would you have rather gone into the

work force full-time or went on to high school? Explain.

Should the GOV or State make high school mandatory? Explain.

If yes, then at what age should school be mandatory? Explain.

What are the advantages & disadvantages of allowing 14 year olds to work full-time instead of going to high school? Explain.

What are the advantages & disadvantages of mandatory high school education? Explain.

the factory system changes in production, business, & classes

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