Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: America's History in the Making: Industrializing America
Comprehensive teaching unit that explores the "second industrial revolution" and the mass production of consumer goods. This, in turn, caused an increase in the labor force and immigration. Learn how these changes brought about the start...
Other
Bringing History Home: Industrialization History
This 3rd grade unit introduces the history of industrialization in the United States in the late 19th century. The development of mechanization and assembly line processes, reliance on unskilled labor, and geographic concentration of...
Other
History World International: Industrial Revolution
A short history of the Industrial Revolution, the reasons that it began in England, some of the significant inventions that had a major impact, changes in transportation, the rise of labor unions, its spread to the United States, and the...
A&E Television
History.com: 7 Negative Effects of the Industrial Revolution
While the Industrial Revolution generated new opportunities and economic growth, it also introduced pollution and acute hardships for workers.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Rise of Industrial Unions
Article outlines the rise of industrial unions during the 1920s and 30s and the impact unions had on politics.
National Archives (UK)
National Archives: Victorian Britain: Industrial Nation
Mining in England early in the Industrial Revolution was very dangerous. Source 4 presents clippings from Lord Ashley's report illustrating the conditions of working in mines and factories in the early-mid nineteenth century England....
A&E Television
History.com: These Appalling Images Exposed Child Labor in America
The Industrial Revolution brought not only new job opportunities but new laborers to the workforce: children. By 1900, 18 percent of all American workers were under the age of 16. 1904, the National Child Labor Committee formed in the...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Struggles of Labor
Outline of the struggles, conflict and violence experienced by 19th Century industrial workers.
Other
Key People in Labor History: Mother Jones (1837 1930)
Once called "the most dangerous woman in America", Mary Harris "Mother" Jones was one of the great organizers of the labor and union movements.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Why Do Americans and Canadians Celebrate Labor Day?
In the United States and Canada, the first Monday of September is a federal holiday, Labor Day. Originally celebrated in New York City's Union Square in 1882, Labor Day was organized by unions as a rare day of rest for the overworked...
Other
The History of Child Labor During the American Industrial Revolution
Child labor, the practice of employing young children in factories and in other industries, was a widespread means of providing mass labor at little expense to employers during the American Industrial Revolution.
Other
Child Mine Labor During the Industrial Revolution
Website informing readers on the daily life of children working in the mines during the Industrial Age. Site provides an overview with photos about the hours, types of jobs and working conditions.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: American Industrial Revolution
Aimed at middle school teachers and students, this resource contains lists of labor links. It includes a brief history of strikes, the Knights of Labor and the AFL.
Victorian Web
Brown University: Victorian Web: Life of the Industrial Worker in 19th Century
The Victorian Web provides a report to British Parliament submitted in 1833 by a medical observer on how work in textile factories affected the physical health of the laborers. Also includes essays from a factory owner's point of view...
Other
Needham h.s.: Child Labor in Factories
With the explosion of factories and increase in demand for their products, the factory owners needed more workers with small hands to handle small machines and parts. This resource offers details of the new workforce, children, during...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Economic Growth and the Early Industrial Revolution
A very thorough look at the industrial growth in the North because of the advent of the Industrial Revolution in America. See what industries grew, how factories became more productive, and find out how the states cultivated economic...
Washington State University
Washington State University: Introduction to 19th Century Socialism
This article discusses the origin of 19th-century socialism. Discusses the Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, social classes, Karl Marx and labor unions. An in-depth article.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: After the Civil War: The New South
After the Civil War, there was some impetus to modernize the South's economy to make it more industrialized and less agrarian. It never gained traction while sharecropping and tenant farming did, ensuring the persistence of rural...
University of Houston
University of Houston: An American Industrial Revolution Unit: Rise of Labor
Students learn about the history of the labor movement in Industrial America, including some of the major unions that emerged and the most well-known strikes. Next, they make connections to the role of unions today. They then work in...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Rise of American Industry
The Industrial Revolution came to America, smuggled in by Samuel Slater, who brought plans for a cotton-spinning mill. See how the growth of industry led to the growth of corporations, the growth of the nation geographically, and the...
Tom Richey
Tom Richey: Agrarian Movements and Populism
While the explosion of industry had its positive marks on the economy, it also took its toll on some aspects of the nation. This slideshow will illustrate the problems and societal changes many farmers, immigrants, labor unions, and the...
University of Groningen
American History: Essays: The Iron Horse: Labor Conflicts and Unionism
This several page chapter from the site From Revolution to Reconstruction outlines the growth of the union in the railroad industry in the late 19th century. Read about the strikes, working conditions, the beginning of the American...
Other
Nettlesworth Primary School: Child Labor and the Industrial Revolution
This resource provides information about child labor and the Industrial Revolution.
Other
Samuel Slater: Father of the American Industrial Revolution: Child Labor
Facts about the percentage of children in the mills and their pay. Discussion of why child labor was accepted. Links to other sites and to information on Samuel Slater.