Industrial Revolution Documents

After reviewing the Industrial Revolution primary source documents, I have a clearer perspective and visual impression of the events during that specific era. This type of exercise portray0ed both the positive and negative aspects of society. New innovations were being discovered, more jobs were being created, and there were more opportunities and ways to make a living for the citizens away or at their homes. For others, government was removing value from their lives. This was especially true for the citizens who were considered to be lower class, who were expected to work excessive hours, whether they were adults or children, in unsafe conditions, and were only paid a very miniscule amount of income. Industrialization was under way and the economy was starting to flourish with new technological advancements. What this type of exercise can teach us about history is that it has both positive aspects as well as flaws. By studying and learning about both, we can learn from the mistakes that were made to ensure that we avoid repeating them in the future. We also benefit from the advancements that were made and can learn from those positive innovations. The study of history is so broad and far-reaching, creating many different perspectives. Learning about these helps us look at ‘the total picture’ and observe everything that occurred, good and bad. Without the people who lived and experienced life before us, we wouldn’t have a frame of reference to learn from and therefore the ability to improve different aspects of life that we are privileged to have in our society today.
From participating in this exercise, I observe history differently. After analyzing the industrial revolution through written documents, as well as through pictures, they illustrate how far our society has progressed since this era. We are fortunate to have all of this history documented so that we can use the knowledge acquired as a foundation to create even more successful innovations and generate even more creative and potentially innovative ideas. Pictures definitely speak a thousand words and I found the documented images more powerful than just reading the different types of documents. ‘High Society’ and leaders of government should have been held accountable for the abuses of lower class citizens. While huge families were having to sacrifice their rest, time, children, and their health everyday, wealthy government officials and their businessmen were living extravagant lives outside of the city away in private mansions living the good life, while letting their fellow citizens suffer. By looking at the whole picture, we can reflect on the past and how issues should have been handled. By brainstorming for new outcomes and ways to manage society, we can make certain that no one in our present day and future society has to endure the harsh, hazardous, and despicable working conditions of the European citizens in the nineteenth century.

A few questions that I have that were left unanswered are:
• Did the government ever formally establish any permanent child labor and safety laws that would have helped protect the young children that were working for the long hours in the treacherous working conditions?
• Why wasn’t there any enforcement of the government inspectors checking these working conditions and making sure that the people’s safety was being insured for the betterment of the working class?

It is very upsetting to see people who lived in those conditions. It’s unjustifiable and should have never been allowed. It’s one thing to start out on a new journey when one must expect to deal with the dips and unexpected twists and turns that will be endured along the way and to conform to the given situation. However, it’s another thing to take advantage of someone who’s considered “below yourself” and make him or her suffer and sacrifice for you unnecessarily.