Section 2 Changes in Working Life

Slater used apprentices

Young men who worked for several years to learn

the job

They were often given simple jobs.

Bored

Eventually hired families

Allowed Slater to fill is labor needs at low costs Children

Slater built housing for the workers Rhode Island system

Hiring families and dividing factory work into simple

tasks. Other mill owners began using this system Provided families with a place to live and shop. Mill towns provided a variety of businesses, just as in other towns.

The chance to work in a factory was a welcome opportunity to earn money and learn skills.

Francis Cabot Lowell

Businessman from New England Developed a new strategy

Lowell System
Water powered textile mills that employed young

unmarried women from local farms Included a loom that could both spin thread and weave cloth in the same mill.

The Lowell Girls

$2 to $4 each week. Paid $1.25 for room and board.

Wanted the chance to earn money instead of

working on the farm. Worked hard for 12-14 hours; strict schedule; free time was spent taking classes and forming clubs

Craftspeople
Hired more workers and paid less.

Factory Workers
Wages went down to compete

Trade Unions
Groups that tried to improve pay and working

conditions Strikes

Founded the Lowell Female Labor Reform Association 2 main goals

Influence an investigation of working conditions by

legislature Obtain a 10 hour workday

Some states passed this

Elected VP of New England Working Mens Association

First woman to hold such position