mar 1, 1813 - Lowell System

Description:

Lowell introduced the modern factory to the United States
• Waltham, Massachusetts
• Full mechanization of both spinning and weaving raw material to finish cloth
• Young women
– New England farm families
– Men either on frontier or working farm
– Cheaper than men
– Surplus female labor available
– Changing economy (escape from farm)
– Industry and Republic values (strengthens social fabric)
•Managment promised
– Tolerable working and prepared meals
– Comfortable housing (dormitories)
– Overseen by a matron
– Moral discipline
– Mandatory church attendance
– Temperance
– Curfews
•Working life
– 12 hour days / 6 day work week
– Corporal punishments
– Exhaustion and misery

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