Northern Factory Worker Timeline

 

-Emerald Yumang

Pre-Civil War: A firsthand account of living in the city

My husband, our son and I left the rural country side and moved into the city last month. We had heard that there were great opportunities in the city and we were eager to be a part of them. However, this city life is not exactly what we expected. I have been working from dawn until dusk in the textile factory. Working conditions are rough, it is cramped, hot, and people are often hurt. My husband, son, and I all live in a one room apartment. The streets are extremely dirty, raw sewage and disease are always lingering. I hope these conditions improve soon, I don't know how long we can last.
-Leah Defigueiredo
http://lincoln.georgetowncollege.edu/eighth/Northern%20Factory%20Workers%20Placard%202.pdf

Pre-Civil War: Manufacturing

Before the Civil War, factories were very prominent in the North.
-Emerald Yumang
http://teachinghistory.org/files/BtT-CotCW-PS3-460x.jpg

Pre-Civil War: Effect of factory work on Social Life

The fast evolution of industry was causing an influx of people to cities. Men, women, and children left their rural lifestyles in pursuit of new opportunities as factory workers. Cities were not prepared for the high- levels of immigrants, which had deletarious effects on living conditions. Living areas, were overcrowded, causing poor sanitation,the spread of disease, cramped quarters, and high risk of  fires. As more factories were built, more people traveled to cities to be a part of this industrial marvel.
-Leah Defigueiredo
http://lincoln.georgetowncollege.edu/eighth/Northern%20Factory%20Workers%20Placard%202.pdf

Pre-Civil War: The Factory Act

The Factory Act was an act that tried to fix the bad working condition during the Industrial Revolution. Sufficient and respectable work hours would be established, including prohibiting working during the night and an established hour and a half long lunch. Unfortunately, though it helped, it was only for textile factories.
-Emerald Yumang
http://www.ebcwebstore.com/imageenlarge/suvidha_images/3666FACTORY-ACT%20%5B%5D.jpg
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/IR1833.htm 

Pre-Civil War: Labor Unions for the Factory Workers

Before the Civil War, when factories were emerging because of the Industrial Revolution, many labor unions were formed in the North for the northern factory workers, because the conditions and lifestyles of the workers were not sanitary or sufficient.
-Emerald Yumang
http://legacy.lclark.edu/~soan221/96/fightwewin.JPG
http://www.helium.com/items/1121656-rise-of-labor-unions-industrial-revolution

Civil War: New Factories

During the Civil War, new factories emerged, sheltered by tariffs. Soaring prices because inflation forced factory workers to live a tight life, but overall manufacturers believed they were doing well.
-Emerald Yumang
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR4v82g7aJAaQdYMQgcUfiCBRHjq0pv3agPtPfdO2fAm58N-jUB6Q