Industrial Age Essay, Research Paper

Industrial Age

The Industrial Age had positive and negative aspects. First off it was a stepping-

stone to launch us into today’s world. Without it, many of us would not be here today. A

lot of other things would be different as well. Many towns and cities would be either non-

existent or a lot smaller in population.

Now some of the negative things. Working conditions in most factories were not

safe. In coalmines for example, people faced health and physical hazards everyday. The

risk of the mine collapsing, their eyesight going bad from being in the dark constantly,

black lung and asthma from all the powder, dust, and smoke. Sanitary conditions were

probably the worst part of working. Diseases of all kinds affected company towns that

were next to the factories. This was because the factories would just dump their waste

anywhere. Also, there were no proper ventilation system installed to get rid of smoke and

other gases. Children suffered from the Industrial Age as well. Since they were small,

they would be used in coalmines to get into small areas. They would have to watch

conveyer belts looking for slate while hunched over. As a result, they would come out

with curved backs, aching legs, and damaged eyes. In factories, if something was stuck or

caught, they would have to put their hands in the machine and get it free. Often children

would lose fingers, if not their whole hand by doing this. Wages were terrible. The

money they got for working in dangerous conditions was terrible. But they had no choice.

It was either shut up and work or find another job. Because there were only a few unions

around, workers could not battle for better hours and more money. It was easy to replace

somebody because anybody was willing to work.