Industry and Livelihoods before the Industrial

Revolution

Pre-Industrial Life

Life before the Industrial RevolutionNot based on machineryNo mass production

Living from the Land

Time – measured by religious events and seasons

Change – rareIncome – from farmingDisease – commonFamily size – small

High infant mortality (death) rate1 in 3 dies within first year of life1 in 2 reach age 21Average life expectance = 40

Location – most in country villagesMost never travel outside of village

A Harsh Way of Life

Village LifeMost are

farmersRent/own

small strips of land in several areas of the village

Cooperative farming

Village LifePublic land

– “village commons”WoodlandsPasturesLess-

fertile soilNo fencing

between public and private

Village LifeEconomics –

localNot good

transportationMuddy roads

Self-sufficient towns

Grow enough for family + small amount to sell

Make own:HomesClothesTools

Village LifeThe Rich

Country Estates – main house, cottages, barns, many fields

Luxurious living

Many servants

Village LifeThe Poor

Rend land from landowners

Cottages: small, smoky, poorly lit, dirt floors

Sometimes shared shelter with animals

Village LifeFarming

TraditionalSame

methods/tools as ancestors

Rely on weather for good seasonsUnpredictable

Involves every family member

Small-scale industryCoal minesFocus on providing necessities

CoalIronGlassClothes

Most workers were also farm workersHelp with harvestFarmers help in workshops during winter

Early Industry

Early IndustryWool

Second to farming

Needs network1. Buy raw fiber2. Clean, sort and

spin fiber into thread/yarn

3. Yarn to weaver4. Material to

fuller – shape/clean material

5. Dyer - coloring

Domestic SystemEvery person focuses on one step of a

processLike weaving/wool

AKA – “Cottage System” or “Cottage Industry”

Workers are highly specializedDifferent stages of a process are handled

by different people in different cottages

Early Industry

Early IndustryCoal

Located under farms

Mine workers worked on farms during harvest

Farm horses pull coal wagons from coal pits

OtherBuy what you

can’t makeGuns, furniture,

clothingImported goods

Barter systemTrade what you

have for what you need