Good Essay On Working Class Life

The period from 1875-1900 in America served as critical transition point for many parties. During this time, former slaves adjusted to their compromised new freedoms, entrepreneurs pushed the boundaries of earning potentials, and those in western territories adjusted to being part of the country. However, one of the most ubiquitous plights was that of the working class in this time of challenging business, technology, and legislation. Life for the American working class at the end of the nineteenth held few material comforts, dangerous conditions, and uncertainty at the hands of business owners.
Life in that time had far fewer comforts than in today’s modern society. Though many important inventions such as the telephone, the typewriter, and the light bulb came about in this time, there discoveries did not quickly pass to the lower classes. Instead, these people had to survive with technology from the past, such as candles, face to face communication, and pen and ink. All of these methods took more time or posed more of an inconvenience. Additionally, living space was at a premium in the cities, forcing families into single room housing. This reduction of space allowed for little privacy among family members. Also, this limited space allowed for little space to pursue any hobbies, potentially making the focus in the home less enjoyable.
Furthermore, the working conditions of these people’s lives could be dangerous to the point of death. Before legislation in the early 1900s, factory owners had little oversight concerning safety of their properties. Without this check, the owners could then take as many shortcuts as possible in production in order to keep costs low. Workers had no incentive to complain as doing so could have them fired for little reason. Such disasters did occur in this time period, including factories fires, lost limbs, and other forms of death. These losses, while outrageous when taken on a case by case basis, were actually quite common. Overall, they signify an overwhelming state of worker hazard at the hands of the owners.
Overall, life for the working class in cities all over America was tough and uncertain. These people had little resources with which they could survive and the bit that they did have could easily be taken away by money hungry owners wishing to increase profits. Only as legislation progressed to protect the lower classes did these people stand a chance of improving their lives.