Paper Summary:

This paper examines the standard of living of the British working class during the industrial revolution, and aims to analyze whether industrialization was good for this diverse class or not. The paper points out that, despite the extensive research conducted on this famous era of economic activity, scholars cannot seem to agree as to whether the working class benefited from this phenomenon or not. The paper concludes that the overall effect of the industrial revolution on Britain's working class was negative rather than positive, based on a model of clearly poor social conditions alongside unreliable economic data.

Outline:
Introduction
Pre-Industrial Revolution: The Situation in Europe and Britain
An Economic Model
General Standards of Living of the Working Class
Conclusion

From the Paper:

"England's agricultural working class pre-industrialization were arguably amongst the most advanced in the world, let alone Europe. The rest of Europe's working class was not so impacted by the industrial revolution, at least not to begin with. The industrial revolution came to England first owing to "Britain's superior record of labour productivity growth" (O'Brien, 1996, p. 216). When output per worker and returns were hectare were connected, production in Britain was nearly double that of French agriculture. Regions such as France were also more dependent than Britain on intensification of labour input to raise and maintain agricultural output above population growth levels (ibid, p. 218). It was thus no coincidence that the industrial revolution was to have a greater impact (and a swifter one) on England in comparison with that nation's European counterparts. Even before the advent of machinery, England owned a remarkable share of animal products to final agricultural outputs - around 75% (ibid, p. 222). Back then, farm animals provided "an 'engine for growth' which provided for a cumulative rise in agrarian productivity which in turn supported structural change for the economy as a whole" (ibid, p. 225). This British dominance was a direct reflection of the company's readiness to fulfill what was necessary to bolster the economy. In this case, livestock was necessary for an agricultural-based economy. It appears, however, that England, with its at-the-forefront economic planning, was primed and ready to adapt to whatever economic future awaited."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Allen, R. C. (2000). Economic Structure and Agricultural Productivity in Europe, 1300-1800. European Review of Economic History, 3, 1-25.
• Allen, R. C. (1999). Tracking the Agricultural Revolution in England. The Economic History Review, 52, 2, 209-235.
• Lindert, P. H. & Williamson, J. G. (1983). English Workers' Living Standards during the Industrial Revolution: A New Look. The Economic History Review, 36, 1, 1-25.
• Mendels, F. F. (1972). Proto-Industrialization: The First Phase of Industrialization Process. The Journal of Economic History, 32, 1, 241-261.
• O'Brien, P. K. (1996). Path Dependency, or Why Britain Became an Industrialized and Urbanized Economy Long before France. The Economic History Review, 49, 4, 213-249.

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