Factory system

Definition

The factory system is a method of manufacturing that emerged during the Industrial Revolution, where goods were produced in large quantities using machines and centralized production facilities. This system marked a shift from traditional handcraft methods to mass production, leading to increased efficiency and lower costs but also significant social changes in the workforce and urban environments.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The factory system drastically reduced the time needed to produce goods, allowing for higher output and lower prices.
2. Workers were often required to work long hours in unsafe conditions for low wages, leading to movements advocating for labor rights.
3. The factory system contributed to rapid urbanization, as people moved to cities in search of factory jobs, significantly altering demographic patterns.
4. This system enabled the specialization of labor, where workers focused on specific tasks rather than the entire production process, increasing efficiency.
5. The rise of the factory system played a crucial role in shaping the modern economy and social structures, impacting family dynamics and class relations.

Review Questions

• How did the factory system change production methods compared to previous manufacturing practices?
  • The factory system revolutionized production methods by introducing machinery and centralizing manufacturing processes. Unlike traditional handcraft methods where artisans worked independently on individual pieces, factories allowed for mass production by using machines that significantly increased output. This shift not only made goods cheaper and more accessible but also transformed the labor force as workers became specialized in specific tasks within the production line.
• Discuss the social implications of the factory system on workers during the Industrial Revolution.
  • The factory system had profound social implications for workers, including long working hours, low wages, and often hazardous working conditions. Many laborers faced grueling schedules with little regard for their safety or well-being, leading to widespread exploitation. This situation eventually sparked labor movements advocating for rights such as shorter hours, better pay, and safer workplaces, fundamentally changing attitudes toward labor and worker rights.
• Evaluate how the factory system influenced urbanization and class structure in 19th-century Britain.
  • The factory system was a key driver of urbanization in 19th-century Britain as it concentrated production in urban areas, prompting massive migration from rural regions. This shift resulted in rapid population growth in cities, leading to overcrowding and inadequate living conditions. Additionally, the emergence of factories contributed to a distinct class structure characterized by a growing industrial working class who often faced harsh realities compared to the wealthy industrialists. This new dynamic played a significant role in shaping socio-economic tensions during this period.

Related terms

Industrial Revolution:

A period of significant industrial growth and technological advancement during the late 18th and early 19th centuries that transformed economies and societies across Europe and America.

Urbanization:

The process by which rural areas become urbanized, leading to an increase in the population density of cities, often driven by people moving for work in factories.

Labor conditions: The working environment and terms under which employees labor, including aspects like hours, pay, safety, and rights that were often harsh during the rise of the factory system.