Changes

Initially there were negative effects.  Poor working conditions existed for factory workers: factories were dirty and dangerous places to work and wages were low and hours were long.  But these initial problems among workers were lessened by the industrial reformation, by which quality and standards of living were greatly improved.  A wide range of products, which previously would have been impossible to attain, were now cheaply produced and available to the average citizen.  Real income — the actual purchasing power of money — greatly increased: people were able to buy much more with their money.  The middle class composed of shopkeepers, factory owners, civil servants and merchants grew immensely.

Initially there were negative effects.  Poor working conditions existed for factory workers: factories were dirty and dangerous places to work and wages were low and hours were long.  But these initial problems among workers were lessened by the industrial reformation, by which quality and standards of living were greatly improved.  A wide range of products, which previously would have been impossible to attain, were now cheaply produced and available to the average citizen.  Real income — the actual purchasing power of money — greatly increased: people were able to buy much more with their money.  The middle class composed of shopkeepers, factory owners, civil servants and merchants grew immensely.

However, many other problems arose.  Child labor increased and many families lived in crowded “tenements”, or apartments, which were unsanitary and often burned down in fires.  Urbanization — or the development and movement of people to cities — increased so rapidlhty that slums arose, garbage and sewage (there were no sewers) filled the streets and epidemics spread quickly.  Authors such as Charles Dickens in England and Victor Hugo in France wrote about the negative effects of industrialization.  In the United States, the Confederate states bragged that slaves were treated better than northern factory workers.   

However, many other problems arose.  Child labor increased and many families lived in crowded “tenements”, or apartments, which were unsanitary and often burned down in fires.  Urbanization — or the development and movement of people to cities — increased so rapidly that slums arose, garbage and sewage (there were no sewers) filled the streets and epidemics spread quickly.  Authors such as Charles Dickens in England and Victor Hugo in France wrote about the negative effects of industrialization.  In the United States, the Confederate states bragged that slaves were treated better than northern factory workers.   

In response to many social problems, some insisted that government should control the economy.  Progressive taxation to redistribute wealth evenly among all citizens arose, and socialism became popular as a result of the Industrial Revolution.  But many others felt (and still feel) that churches and charity, not the government, care best for the poor.  The social problems of industrialization inspired Christians to take action, especially in America and England.  [[Charles Haddon Spurgeon|Charles Spurgeon]] was a minister who attracted huge crowds in London and taught that faith without works is dead.  He urged Christians to take action and help the poor.  He participated in the establishment of Stockwell Orphanage in England in 1867.  In Germany, the Inner Mission was established by Johann H. Wichern in 1848.  In 1863, the Red Cross society was founded in Switzerland by Jean Henri Dunant, and an American Red Cross was subsequently founded by Clara Barton.  In Bristol, England, George Mueller spent his life working to care for youth delinquents, orphans, and anyone poor and needy.  The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), originally founded as a place for Bible study and prayer in England in 1844, became enormously popular and spread to America.  In the 1860s, William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation Army to provide food, clothing and shelter to the poor and homeless and spread the Gospel.  Many of these Christian institutions continue to exist today.

In response to many social problems, some insisted that government should control the economy.  Progressive taxation to redistribute wealth evenly among all citizens arose, and socialism became popular as a result of the Industrial Revolution.  But many others felt (and still feel) that churches and charity, not the government, care best for the poor.  The social problems of industrialization inspired Christians to take action, especially in America and England.  [[Charles Haddon Spurgeon|Charles Spurgeon]] was a minister who attracted huge crowds in London and taught that faith without works is dead.  He urged Christians to take action and help the poor.  He participated in the establishment of Stockwell Orphanage in England in 1867.  In Germany, the Inner Mission was established by Johann H. Wichern in 1848.  In 1863, the Red Cross society was founded in Switzerland by Jean Henri Dunant, and an American Red Cross was subsequently founded by Clara Barton.  In Bristol, England, George Mueller spent his life working to care for youth delinquents, orphans, and anyone poor and needy.  The YMCA (Young Men’s Christian Association), originally founded as a place for Bible study and prayer in England in 1844, became enormously popular and spread to America.  In the 1860s, William and Catherine Booth founded the Salvation Army to provide food, clothing and shelter to the poor and homeless and spread the Gospel.  Many of these Christian institutions continue to exist today.