Chapter 30 Factory system: The factory system replaced both the putting out system and proto industrial factories and was the characteristic method of production in industrial economies. Many of the new machines being made were too large and expensive for household use and were required to be in a bigger building. Engineers and entrepreneurs began to make complicated machines for large scale production. The significance of the factory system was it brought together more workers doing specialized tasks than ever before. It created jobs for people who never used to be able to work in the factory setting because the workers were required to do one task instead of the whole job.
Industrialization cast a broad spectrum of effects on workers in the United States between the years of 1865 and 1914. For some, these effects prevailed successful, but for most they caused disposition and bitterness towards the United States government. Unions formed, workers gained rights, lost them and gained them back again, and strikes were a prominent gesture in expressing the dissatisfaction of the workers. One impact of industrialization on manufacturing was the development of the assembly line, along with numerous factories utilized to produce goods. One technological advancement made was the ability to transport goods more safely and easily.
Today, almost 12% of the workforce is included in the union membership ranks. This number is significantly lower than the number in 1956 (when union membership was at its peak). One of the main reasons for a decline in the membership, especially in the manufacturing sector (also known as the hub of the labor movement, back in the day) is because of the fact that many manufacturers are having to shut down due to downsizing and outsourcing. Almost 150,000 jobs were lost to foreign markets. A growing international competition has also impacted union importance amongst the industries.
Factory work had some disadvantages though, for one people began to lose the feeling of self satisfaction from creating things since they often only a part process. Since the factories reduced the demand for the more expensive artisan made goods there were less skilled laborers and goods became more uniform. The factories also spawned the creation of labor unions which began exerting influence over the government, the unions started small in this era, but eventually gained power. The nature of work changed considerably during the gilded and progressive era, things such as wage labor, unions, and leisure time which had not really existed before sprung up and are still present more than 100 years labor, a sign of their
In other countries their culture and language vary greatly from the American way (Palvia, S. C., Palvia, P., Weidong, X., & King, R. C. (2010)). Other issues include time differences and working conditions. Within a foreign country that is on the other side of the world, it is difficult to have a productive workforce that can work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to be on call during American business hours. These demands can lead to poor working conditions and a not so qualified workforce. To help solve some of these issues major corporations have also outsourced their management teams and most of their business operations, which in turn reduces their management and business operations here within the United States.
Now, because of the development and advancement in technology, people from other countries apply for jobs in America. Many factories and companies look for the cheapest and fastest labor. This results in manufacturing factories in other countries with non-Americans working and getting pay when there are millions of unemployed able men and women in America looking for a job. I feel that work will be my life in the future. Just like now, school is my life since I started kindergarten.
The initiative of the government to take interest of the works, modernization of the infrastructure, opening of schools, providing proper sanitations and bringing about health and water facilities (Urbanization During the Industrial Revolution, 2010). The formation of labor unions during the first Industrial revolution brought a surge of new workers into the workplace. Because of the abundance of laborers available made individual workers expendable and led to decreased wages (Hackett, 1992). Underage workers were also heavily present in many jobs. Health and safety conditions in the workplace were poor and workers had little recourse.
They all worked together to produce the products instead of each of them making a product. How were all of these factory workers recruited? “A good many from the agricultural parts… People left other occupations and came to spinning for the sake of high wages.” [Document 2] People were leaving their farming jobs and other jobs to go to work in the factories because, just like now, money was a necessity in everyone’s life and working in factories gave workers more money to bring home and use to provide their family with other necessities. The process of Industrialization was a slow but fast moving process. There were a lot of new technologies popping up in all fields.
When in reality people living back then had more struggles and problems than we do on a daily basis. Some reasons why people would prefer to go back to that time period is because they had such reliable jobs. People would work at the factories
However, since being among the main labor union in America, the UAW has organized several industrial actions includes strikes and sit–down that have interrupted operations in big industries for example General Motors. These interruptions cause a lot of losses to the companies and to the economy as a whole. (Barnard, 2004) This paper is going to take a look