NSC: Grade 9 History Economic Revolutions: Negative and Positive effects of the Industrial Revolution

1. Prepared by: Suayni Biggs
Humanities Department: Jamaica College 1 | P a g e
Subject: History
Date: May 25th-27th, 2022
Class: 3rd Form
Topic: The Industrial Revolution
THE EFFECTS OF THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
The effects of the Industrial Revolution are far reaching and numerous. There were certain
evident immediate effects and there are effects that went well into the next century. Here are
some:
Positive Effects
1. Many new professions were created. The most noted one of all was engineering. This
was so because there were so many new things to design.
2. The factories employed a large number of unskilled workers. There was also an increase
in the demand for various skilled workers such as carpenters and professionals such as
engineers. This meant that in the short run, there was an increase in the employment
level.
3. The number of cities and towns grew at a rapid rate. With each new factory or office that
was built, many unknown areas became busy and lively places of interest.
4. Some towns and ports became famous. Liverpool and Manchester officially opened their
railway system to public traffic in 1830. Not only did business flourish in these towns but
more parents were willing to send their children from rural areas to study in these towns
knowing that they were only a train ride away.
5. There was a great increase in the middle class in society. More and more persons were
able to afford a better standard of living. They sent their children to prestigious schools
and universities. These children became professionals and ensured that their children also
received a high or higher level of education.
6. Migration occurred at a faster rate. The steamboat and the Suez Canal brought people
from different countries and continents together. Some migrated to find work. Others
migrated for adventure. Still others migrated to find riches such as the time of the
California Gold Rush.
7. After a while, a number of middle class persons began to lobby for the introduction of
Trade Unions to protect worker’s rights. This gave them an important avenue to power.
Some of them went on to become Members of Parliament for their constituencies.

2. Prepared by: Suayni Biggs
Humanities Department: Jamaica College 2 | P a g e
Negative Effects
1. Diseases
2. Unfortunately the Industrial Revolution led to the use of child labour in the factories.
Employers were willing to employ children because they were paid less.
Children mine workers during the industrial Revolution
3. Those children who worked in the factories obviously did not get a chance to attend
school. Some children were unable to attend school on a regular and formal basis because
their parents could not afford it. In some cases, the parents were not available to
supervise them so they became truants. This meant that the illiteracy rate was high among
children.
4. The employers took advantage of their employees. In most of the factories, working
conditions were deplorable. In many instances not enough sanitary facilities or eating
areas were provided. The workers were often afraid to complain. The new machines were
rapidly replacing labourers after a while. People were afraid to lose their jobs so they did
nothing about the situation.
A young "drawer" pulling a coal tub along a mine galler. In Britain laws passed in 1842 and
1844 improved mine working conditions.

3. Prepared by: Suayni Biggs
Humanities Department: Jamaica College 3 | P a g e
5. The factory workers had a long day. They worked for twelve to fourteen hours per day.
This left them with very little time to give the kind of love, care and attention that the
children needed. Some children left unattended, became involved in all sorts of petty
crimes and immoral activities such as prostitution.
6. The factories were overcrowded with dangerous machinery. Workers who were injured
on the job did not get any compensation or sick leave with pay. In England, injustices
such as these were NOT effectively remedied until the late 1870’s when Trade Unions
were legalized.
7. Homes were rapidly constructed to accommodate the ever increasing number of persons
migrating from the rural or country areas to the urban or town areas to look jobs. They
were poorly constructed and very expensive. Many were old and in need of repairs but
the workers were desperate. Large families could only afford to pay rent for small areas.
8. Those who oppose the death penalty would argue that electricity has provided yet another
means of disposing of a human life. In 1888, New York replaced hanging with
electrocution as the legal death penalty for criminals.
9. Pollution