City Inspection Report on the Horribly Glorious Industrial Revolution

In History Class we were given documents to analyze as city inspectors during the Industrial Revolution to better understand what living conditions were like back then.

"Levels of greenhouse gases higher than ever, says UN." BBC News. BBC, 22 Nov. 2011. Web. 17 Sept. 2014. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/15839594>.

This report dated 1844 has been provided for the urban planning committees of various cities in England. My name is Elizabeth Dee, and as a mid-level city inspector I trust that you will use the information within to determine appropriate needs in urban planning for your municipalities. My report has been through as I have made us of all the sources available to me and have worked to guide you through my own analysis and critical thinking to a full description of the issues facing our cities.

With the sources I’ve been given to inspect the life and work in the Industrial City, I have come across some positive points. In “The Cotton Mill”, John Jones, 1821 [poem] (Doc. B), the cotton mill is portrayed as a great place. It’s said to be a great trade, compared to “gorgeous palaces.” On the account of John Jones, the mill makes people happy, owners are friends of humankind, with their doors open to give employment. Another source, W.C. Taylor, “Notes of a Tour in the Manufacturing Districts of Lancashire” 1842. [book excerpt] (Doc. E), also shows that life and work in the Industrial City was great. It notes that the smoke rising from the lofty chimneys is spread out, and isn’t a nuisance, while creating a picturesque view. The machinery isn’t dangerous, workplace is well ventilated and a comfortable temperature. The source states that accidents are very rare and conditions are good with proper rest. Factories also create jobs and put food on the tables as well.

In contrast to all the good accounts on life and work in the industrial city there was also a lot of negative views on it as well. In Charles Dickens, Hard Times, describing a typical British factory town and the people who live in it [book excerpt] (Doc. A), Dickens tells of lots of machines, tall chimneys, smoke, black canals, and rivers that ran purple with dye. The workers also did the same boring job everyday with no change. Another negative account on life and work in the Industrial City would be Excerpt from “The Factory Town”, Ernest Jones, 1847 [poem] (Doc. C), as it tells of lurid fires, pent up hells that make volcanoes even stop, choking air, and torturous work. The last source I inspected was Excerpt from THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF MICHAEL ARMSTRONG, THE FACTORY BOY, Francis Trollope, 1840 [book excerpt] (Doc. D), talks about the ceaseless whirling of a million hissing wheels, scents that reek, oil, tainted water, human filth, and difficulty breathing. Causing helpless children with lean distorted limbs, sallow and sunken cheeks, dim hollow eyes, and premature age.

After analysing the sources given to me I think industrialization had more of a negative impact on living and working conditions in cities. Even though there was some positive things resulting from industrialization like, more employment, technological advancement, cheaper and faster ways of doing things, there was so much more negative impacts on cities. In document D., the conditions described seemed a lot more realistic for a factory with tons of machines. Working too many hours would definitely have an impact on children's health. In document A, the pollution described would definitely cause a negative impact on the cities, the living conditions aren’t fit for anyone to have to suffer through. After seeing all of the problems with life and work in the Industrial City, I advise there be some changes and laws made to protect people.