Industrial revolution - the social question

• History
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

Industrial revolution 

The social question 

Where did the Industrial Revolution start?

1. France
2. England
3. The Netherlands
4. Germany

How and why did this happen in England?

00:18

What was the problem the owners of the factories needed a solution for?

00:53

What kind of work do the children have to do?

00:53

How are the kids 'encouraged' to work faster?

01:25

How were the children punished if they got stuck in a factory machine?

01:45

What are the three things children were not allowed to do while working?

02:29

Were the children allowed to go to school? How can you tell?

Child labour during the industrial revolution

In 1874 Sam van Houten made a law against child labour. 

The Kinderwetje van Van Houten made it illegal for children to work, only children of farmers could still help their parents. 

At the end of the 19th century wages began to rise, so child labour was not needed as much. More and more children went to school. (In 1900: Compulsory education law)

The social question

Not only child labour was part of the problem. Poverty was also a very big problem. Poverty was part of the 'social question'. 

During the Industrial revolution the middle class became richer, but the labourers' poverty became more visible. 

Labourers

Labourers were poor. Had no employee rights as we know them now: if they were sick or became disabled they had no income and were easily fired. Labourers formed unions (vakbonden) that would fight for better working conditions. They would organize strikes, which made the middle class nervous. 

Social laws

1886 - Eel Riots in Amsterdam. 

After these riots an inquiry (investigation) was held about the working conditions in factories. Many people now started to realise how tough a labourer life was. This led to the social laws: laws to protect the weak groups.

>Welfare (uitkering) in case of accident

> Shorter workdays, better houses, higher wages

They were great! 

Hmm not so great

How were the linving conditions for the people working in the factories?

Why did children have to work in the factories?

1. Schools were too expensive
2. They wanted to earn some pocket money
3. They had to work to pay for food for the family
4. They thought is was fun

What decided the 'Kinderwetje van Van Houten'?

00:13

Which place are the rich people from? Which place are the poor people from?

00:39

Name five types of servants that worked for rich families

01:13

Why were there no doors in the poor family's house?

01:40

How many families lived together in one room and why?

02:36

What great difference between poor and rich is mentioned here?

04:01

Which family did you like best and why?

Name at least three differences between rich and poor people during Victorian times

Homework

• Read paragraph 5.2 
• Do exercise 2, 5 & 6 in your workbook