development OF THE FACTORY SYSTEM
As the number of factories increased, more workers were needed to meet the demand of the production of goods. The production of new inventions during this time helped to replace the putting-out system and develop the assembly line which in turn required the need for more workers as well. Although the increased number of factories and new ways of production helped the economy by producing more materials, the workers faced severe conditions and worked long hours to meet these demands. A typical day of a shift that lasted between 12 and 16 hours with very few breaks in between. The working conditions were also harsh with the workers having to use machines without safety devices and breathe in air filled with coal dust and lint. These dangerous conditions made many injured and sick, but if they were unable to work they lost their jobs. Women and children were also hired in the factory system and were sometimes even favored over men because of their ability to easily maintain the machines, and move quickly in the factories. They were also favored over men in some cases because they were payed even less even if they worked the same amount of time as men. Life in the factories made life at home more difficult. Much of their day was spent in the factory which gave women even less time to cook and clean for their families in the crowded and unsanitary tenements that they lived in. This made family life difficult for families and the disease and injuries that they faced made it hard to cope with the situation as well. Children working during this time also had a difficult lifestyle since children as young as five years old spent most of their day in the factory. They helped to change spools in the textile factories, transported coal in mines and worked in the mine shafts. Even though children worked long hours in terrible conditions, many people were not completely opposed to them working since they helped provide for the family and working in factories provided many orphans in the city with a job.
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