Who had a harder life: the urban worker or the rural farmer?

Question

Based on your knowledge of the late 1800's or the book "Dont Know Much About History"

Answer 1

the one who hated his work had the harder life.

Answer 2

Well.... I would say [from what I know] that a urban worker had it harder. Urban workers worked many hours a day. Children were sometimes forced to work because of their economic standing. They depended on their very small salaries to feed their family. Jobs were mostly were at factories, which had just developed because of the Industrial Revolution, and it was very dangerious there. Farmers, on the other hand, harvested their own crops and I don't think they depended on anyone else. And there were a lot of advances in the agricultural area, too. Urban workers dealt with pollution, sickness, and everything that resulted from high population and too much work.

Answer 3

What a GREAT question. You could write a book about the contrast! I would guess the rural farmer might have the "harder" life, simply because that gallon of milk is miles away into town - and there's no such thing as a paid sick day or vacation during the summer months. Being a farmer is such a physical job as well.

Answer 4

I think it depends on what you consider a "harder life".

From the perspective of the rural farmer, they struggled constantly to make ends meet, worked from dawn to dusk and raised families. They also had the satisfaction of seeing a job well done at times, but suffered through bad times of lost crops and bad weather. They did enjoy the freedom of working for themselves and enjoying the outdoors in a simple fasion. There were barn raisings, neighbor gatherings, church to see them through. Some did very well, and enjoyed a very good lifestyle, while others struggled always to make ends meet.

The urban worker - depends on the job. Some had jobs that paid well enough to sustain their families and enabled them to enjoy vacations and a good lifestyle. The majority in the 1800's had very low pay, barely able to afford their meals, let alone anything other than the bare necessity. There was companionship with neighbors, gatherings, church, etc. to sustain them.

I think overall, the ones who had it harder where the ones who forgot about what was important in life and didn't stop to see what meant the most to them. They may have been the wealthier ones, or the poorer ones who were so bitter at not being able to make ends meet. The social network sustained the ones who looked at what they had been given to them vs. what was not given. It is the small things in life that make it easy to cope with the larger problems.

Answer 5

The urban worker they worked in smelly airless factories with horrible hours and unsafe working conditions.Also many children as young as eight were working in those factories now heres my question why are you trying to get others to do your homework?Read the book!

Answer 6

farmer.... gets up early, bed to late. works SUPER hard in fields. city workers ussually work in offices, sitting

Answer 7

Daisy Is this you? … :)!
http://www.osoq.com/funstuff/extra/extra04.asp?strName=Daisy

Answer 8

Introduction
The United States has the bloodiest history of labor of any industrialized nation on Earth. It is a story rich in human drama and tragedy. It is also one of progress and hope. This is a resource that teachers of United States history can use to incorporate our rich social and labor history into their courses. Using the ideas employed here teachers will increase student understanding of the American economic system and the important issues we all face as workers today. The concepts and lessons will build on each other so that at the end of the school year the student should have a working knowledge of the importance of labor in society. A guiding theme of this work is how laborers have earned a voice in the workplace and increased their share of the economic pie. Teachers should highlight the stark contrast between today's working environment and the relationship between workers and owners of the past.

The scope of United States history has been divided into eleven basic periods. These will correspond with the unit divisions that many modern textbook companies use. In each period the main events and issues of US labor history are introduced. Concepts, ideas and resources are presented to aid the teacher. In several of the units specific lessons are available for immediate use.

It was not felt desirable to clutter this guide with footnotes. Therefore a complete list of sources used is listed in the bibliography.

This curriculum guide is created by James D. Brown, Jr. for the Illinois Labor History Society in cooperation with teachers from the metro Chicago area and local union members. The Illinois Labor History Society is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and promote awareness of labor history in Illinois. ILHS is staffed by volunteers. This project is also produced by volunteers and one graduate intern. The HTML version is maintained by Chicago-Kent College of Law.


The Colonial Period to 1763.
Overview. The Europeans began arriving after 1492 upon the shores of the Americas. They found a land rich in resources and native culture. As news reached Europe it sparked a wave of explorations and ultimately colonization. Many, if not most, of the early colonists America arrived under some version of bound labor, either as a slave or an indentured servant. This was the way many free persons could pay for their passage. Upon arrival they would be sold out to an artisan, gentleman or farmer according to his or her abilities. They would then work for 5-7 years which would repay their passage costs. Slaves obviously had little chance to earn their freedom, though some did.

Labor Related Issues of the Period.
Lack of economic opportunity in Old World.
Remnants of feudal system in parts of Europe.
Rise of non-landed wealth in Europe.
Growth of artisans' guilds in Europe.
Growth of cities in Europe.
Economic opportunity of New World.
Building of a stable society in New World by common laborers
Development of independent craftsworker in northern colonies.
Development of slave system in southern colonies.
Growth of political organization and action in latter years of period.
Beginnings of representative government gives common man a voice
Influence of geography on the American economy.
Lack of an effective voice by laborers.
Selected Labor Related Events of the Period.
1440s
Opening of the African slave trade.
1619
Slavery introduced into Virginia
Virginia House of Burgesses formed, beginning of representative government in North America.
1620
Mayflower Compact signed creating "just and equal laws."
1620s
Beginning of New England town meetings
1648
Boston shoemakers and coopers form guilds.
1676
Bacon's Rebellion in Virginia, farmers revolt against corrupt government
1683
New York Chapter of Liberties gives freeholders the right to vote
1712
Carolina Slave Code created which regulates slave life.
1724
Carpenter's Company of Philadelphia chartered to assist carpenter's instruction and well-being.
1739
Stono Rebellion of slaves in South Carolina.
1765
The first society of working women is organized as an auxliary of the Sons of Liberty, called the Daughters of Liberty.
1766
Green Mountain uprising of farmers against landowners over the inequality of political power.




The Revolutionary Era: 1763-1789
Overview. In the colonies' struggle for independence, workers and their interests played an important role in the success of the revolutionary movement. One example most people are aware of is the Boston Massacre. This event had roots in the unhappiness of Boston ropemakers over competition from off duty British soldiers who sought casual work to supplement their wages. What began as a verbal confrontation between one ropemaker and a soldier moved to a confrontation between workers and sentries and then ended as a battle cry for the revolution. Further evidence of the importance of common people in the movement is the success of Thomas Paine's 1776 pamphlet, Common Sense, which was written for the masses and not the upper class. The tremendous sales (over 150,000 and three printings) indicate the level of interest the average person had in the emerging ideology of independence. During this period people continued to work and there were instances of workers uniting to better their condition. The involvement of the worker and the common person truly made this more than a rebellion into a revolution.

Labor Related Issues of the Period.
Support of Adam Smith's free trade ideology grew. Workers used this to fight wartime monopolies and price controls.
Most soldiers were commoners, eg. farmers, slaves, apprentices, laborers, fishermen, artisans and women
Growth of political organization and action.
Ideally the Revolution creates a government and society based on equality of free men.
In reality the Revolution maintains an elitist system that favors the educated upper class.
Slavery deliberately not addressed by the Declaration of Independence.
Slavery continued as an institution.
Labor Related Events of the Period.
1770
Boston Massacre precipatated by conflict between ropeworkers and British soldier.
1773
Carpenters dressed as Mohawk Indians help lead the Boston Tea Party.
1775
United Company of Philadelphia for Promoting American Manufacturing employs 400 women under one roof. Points toward future industrialization.
1776
Common Sense published throughout colonies.
Colonial delegates sign Declaration of Independence in Carpenter's Hall built by Carpenter's Company of Philadelphia.
The Wealth of Nations published which promotes laissez-faire economics, individualism yet opposes monopolies and mercantilism.
1777
British defeated at Saratoga saves New England from British.
1778
New York City journeyman printers unite and gain increase in wages. They then disband.
1781
Their defeat at Yorktown by Washington's army proves to British they cannot win.
1783
Treaty of Paris signed. England recognizes American independence.
1785
New York City shoemakers strike for three weeks.
1786
Printers in Philadelphia walk out to protest a wage reduction. Result: Gained a $6 a week minimum wage.
1787
Constitution counts five slaves as three people for Congressional representation.
Important Concepts.
free trade, independence, laissez faire, monopoly, strike, minimum wage, capitalism, equality (1776 version)

Integrating Labor History into Effective Teaching of the Period.
Have students study Adam Smith's theories in his Wealth of Nations to see his real intent for capitalism.
Investigate the Boston Massacre so students can discover the labor roots of the conflict. See Who Built America, v.1 for a short version of the story.
Investigate the letters of John and Abigail Adams to see the limits of independence and rationale behind it. See The Feminist Papers, Alice Rossi, Ed., 1973.
Investigate the Constitution to understand the limits of equality in early America.


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The Growth of a New Nation: 1789-1830
Overview: Jefferson had warned of the evils of an industrialized society where wealth seperated men. He and his supporters hoped America would remain a rural agricultural society where equality and a man's dignity could be maintained by tying men to the land. An industrial class system would erode democracy and equality. The Jeffersonians lost this struggle to retain their vision of America in the face of industrialization. Yet there were some who sought to blend these competing interests. A fine example of this is the experiment at Lowell. The founders of the Lowell experiment sought to preserve America's agricultural base by employing rural women who would supplement the income on the farm. The experiment failed and soon Jefferson's vision would be relegated to the history books (or curriculums).

Labor Related Issues of the Period
The debate and struggle between agrarian democrats and industrial interests.
Pattern of economic hard times (depression and recession) followed by periods of prosperity began to emerge. Labor was weak in each period of hard times.
Sweatshops begin to form in eastern cities.
Growth of northern textile industry.
Cordwainer Conspiracy Cases weaken the union movement by ruling that organizations of workers were conspiracies.
Labor Related Events of the Period
1790
Population of the young nation is counted at 3,929,214 in the first national census.
Cabinet and chairmakers in Philadelphia fight an attempt by employers to blacklist union members.
First textile mill is established in Pawtucket, Rhode Island by Samuel Slater for Ezekial Carpenter. All the workers are under age 12 -seven boys and two girls.
1791
Philadelphia carpenters struck unsuccessfully for a 10 hour day and overtime pay. First building trades strike
Alexander Hamilton praises women workers in his Report on Manufactures of December 5.
1792
Philadelphia shoemakers form the first local craft union for collective bargaining. Disband within a year.
1793
Cotton gin invented which makes cotton production easier and helps perpetuate slavery.
1794
The Typographic Society organized in New York by printers. Lasted over 10 years.
The Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers formed in Philadelphia by shoemakers. Tried for Conspiracy in 1806.
1797
Philadelphia carpenters go on strike.
1800
Gabriel Prosser organized an unsuccessful slave revolt near Richmond, Virginia.
1805
A Journeymen Cordwainers union in New York City included a closed shop clause in its constitution.
1806
Members of Philadelphia Journeymen Cordwainers tried for conspiracy after a strike for higher wages. Charged with combining to raise wages and to injure others. Forced to disband after being fined and going bankrupt. First union to be tried for conspiracy.
1808
Federal law prohibits the importation of slaves into the United States. Smuggling continued to bring in a small number of slaves until just before the Civil War.
1810
First American cigar factory opens in Suffield, Connecticut. All the workers are women.
90% of Americans do not live in cities.
66% of the clothing worn by non-urban Americans made from home manufacture according to US Treasury secretary.
1814
Power loom invented which makes weaving a factory occupation.
1817
New York state legislature passes a law that frees slaves born before 4 July 1799.
1819
Panic causes a six year depression. Manufacturers secure a tariff to protect them from foriegn competion.
1820
Industrial organization experiment begun in Lowell, Mass.
Missouri Compromise admits Missouri as a slave state but bans slavery in the northern Louisiana Territory.
1823
Hatters in New York City were tried and convicted of conspiracy.
1824
First reported strike of women workers when they join male weavers protesting wage reduction and extension of the workday in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
1825
Robert Owen founds utopian community in Illinois and Indiana. Fails in three years.
The United Tailoresses of New York, women only trade organization, formed.(New York City). To demand a wage increase, they struck in the first all women strike.
1827
The Mechanics Union of Trade Associations, made up of skilled workers in different trades, formed in Philadelphia. The first city-wide labor council.
Tailors in Philadelphia tried for conspiracy, verdict stressed the "injury to trade" aspect of their organization.
1828
Workingmen's Party formed in Philadelphia.
The first all-women factory strike in Dover, NH. See Lesson 2 below.
Philadelphia Mechanics Union of Trade Associations unsuccessfully strikes for a ten hour day.
1829
The Workingmen's Party of New York formed.





Expansion and Sectionalism: 1830-1850
Overview: This was a significant period of reform in American history. Emerson and Thoreau were contemplating the essentials of life and William Lloyd Garrison founded the abolition movement. Out of this climate came the ten-hour movement. The ten-hour movement achieved legislative success in several states for the ten-hour day. However these laws contained one loophole which employers used. All these laws allowed employees to contract for longer hours if they wanted. Employers manipulated this to apply to all workers and those who refused were fired and/or blacklisted. The presence of an eager labor pool, caused by immigration, weakened employee's bargaining power on this and other issues.

Labor Related Issues of the Period
The threat of conspiracy lawsuits is lifted by the reversal of previous court desicions in Commonwealth v. Hunt (1842).
Growth of the Ten Hour movement and subsequent passage of ten-hour laws in several states.
Land reform movements called for the free distribution of the public domain to help cure labor ills.
In the 1830s children under 16 made up about one-third of the New England labor force.
Manufacturers had earned a strong voice in determining the nation's destiny along with agricutural and commercial interests.
Reform organizations seek a wide range of changes from abolition to child labor restrictions to the ten-hour day.
Women's labor organizations increased its voice and militancy.
Labor Related Events of the Period
1831
Birth of American abolition movement when The Liberator published by William. L. Garrison.
Nat Turner leads a slave rebellion in Virginia, he was later killed and executed.
In New York City, 1600 tailoresses go on strike for two months over wages and lose.
1833
Workingmen's Ticket is a political party formed of men and women to promote labor ideology.
1834
The National Trades Union formed in New York City. The first attempt at a national labor federation.
The Factory Girls' Association is formed in Lowell and go on strike over working conditions and wages.
800 women go on strike over the right to organize and wage reductions in Dover, New Hampshire.
1835
Geneva shoemakers tried and convicted for conspiracy. See below.
1836
The National Cooperative Association of Cordwainers, the first national union of a specific trade, was founded in New York City.
A convention of mechanics, farmers, and workingmen met in Utica, NY. The wrote a Declaration of Rights which opposed bank notes, paper money, arbitrary power of the courts, and called for legislation to guarantee labor the right to organize to increase wages. They formed the Equal Rights Party to be free of existing party control.
Lowell girls go on strike again over working conditions and wages.
1837
Panic of 1837 puts an end to the National Trades Union and most other unions.
President Jackson declares ten hour day in Philadelphia Navy Yard to quell discontent caused by Panic of 1837.
1838
One-third of the nation's workers were unemployed due to the economic hard times.
1840
Ten hour day without reduction in pay proclaimed by President Van Buren for all federal employees on public works.
1842
In Commonwealth v. Hunt, the Massachusetts Supreme Court rules that labor unions, as such, are not illegal conspiracies.
Connecticut and Massachusetts pass laws prohibiting children from working over ten hours per day.
1844
200 delegates form New England Workingmen's Association to fight for the ten-hour day.
1845
Female workers in five cotton mills in Allegheny, Pennsylvania strike for the ten hour day. They are supported by workers in Lowell, Mass. and Manchester, New Hampshire.
First professional teacher's association is created in Massachusetts.
Sarah Bagley helps form the Female Labor Reform Association (an auxiallary of the New England Workingmen's Association) in Lowell, Mass. to work for a ten-hour day.
1847
New Hampshire is the first state to make the ten hour day the legal workday.
1848
Child labor law in Pennsylvania makes twelve the minimum age for workers in commercial occupations.
Pennsylvania passes a ten hour day law. When employers violate it women mill workers riot and attack the factory gates with axes.
1850
Compromise of 1850 perpetuates slavery and the sectional debates between North and South.
Important Concepts
abolition, panic (economic), ten-hour day

Integrating Labor History into Effective Teaching of the Period.
Debate the arguments in the Geneva shoemakers' case of 1835.

Union Defense- Without the union the workers are powerless. "You forbid these men that union which alone can enable them to resist the oppressions of avarice....You deprive them of the means and opportunity of learning the rights and duties which they are to exercise as citizens."
New York State Supreme Court Chief Justice Savage- The union is guilty of "a statutory offence because such practice was injurious to trade and commerce."