![]() By the 1850s the Lowell System was a failed experiment. With unskilled labor available and willing to work for low wages, the system was no longer needed. The arrival of the Irish in Lowell, beginning in 1846, also contributed substantially to the demise of the Lowell System of Labor. The lobby helped to pass laws that limited work hours, but textile mills continued to ignore the legislation. ![]() Two years later the "Lowell girls" struck again when their housing rates were raised again the strike failed, as workers found themselves unable to make ends meet and were back on the job within a month.Ĭonditions deteriorated and in 1845 Lowell workers formed the Female Labor Reform Association, which joined forces with other Massachusetts laborers to force government to legislate improved work conditions in the state. But the union's efforts were unsuccessful. In 1834 Lowell cut his workers' wages by 25 percent the workers responded by staging a strike and organizing the Factory Girls Association, a labor union. Increased competition in the textile industry (which was the model for other industries of the day) forced factory owners to cut wages and lengthen hours to stay profitable and meet production demands. But in the 1830s and 1840s the Lowell System faltered. Lowell expanded his manufacturing interests, establishing larger mills on the Merrimack River in present-day Lowell, Massachusetts (a town named in his honor). Lowell believed that by providing safety in the workplace, comfortable living conditions, and a socially positive living and working environment he could ensure a steady supply of labor. Called the Lowell System, or the Waltham System, farm girls and young women who came to work at the textile factory were housed in supervised dormitories or boardinghouses and were provided with educational and cultural opportunities. He hoped his program would prove an alternative to the system of child labor that had long been in use in Britain and also prevailed in New England textile mills. To attract the necessary work force to his plant, Lowell established an innovative labor program. Here the raw cotton fibers were processed to produce cloth. At this site, on the shores of the Charles River, industrialist Francis Cabot Lowell (1775 –1817) built the Boston Manufacturing Company, the first complete cotton spinning and weaving mill in the United States. One such factory was established between 18 in Waltham, Massachusetts. This will help identify one or multiple reasons why Francis Lowell's partners might have chosen this particular location.During the early 1800s factories went up throughout New England, where rivers were used to power recently developed manufacturing machinery. Entrepreneurial motivations: Research the intentions and goals of Francis Lowell's partners, including their expertise, financial considerations, or desire for expansion.īy following these steps, you will gain a comprehensive understanding of the geographical and historical factors that influenced the choice of the area for building the factory town of Lowell. Economic factors: Consider economic trends, such as the demand for textiles or the growth of the manufacturing industry, which could have motivated choosing this specific area. Industrial revolution: Understand the broader context of industrialization during this time and how it influenced the decision to build a factory town. Research historical context: Look up historical information about the time period when the factory town of Lowell was established. Regional advantages: Consider if the area was known for specific industries or skilled labor, or if it had a favorable climate for certain types of production.ģ. Access to transportation: Determine if there were major trade routes, rivers, or ports nearby, facilitating the transportation of goods and supplies. Proximity to natural resources: Check if the area was close to raw materials needed for the factory, such as timber, water, or minerals. Consider geographical factors: Assess the geographical advantages that the location may offer. Pay attention to the surrounding environment, such as rivers, mountains, or roads.Ģ. Examine the illustration: Look closely at the illustration and note any significant features, landmarks, or elements depicted. To determine why Francis Lowell's partners might have chosen the area to build the factory town of Lowell based on the early illustration, we need to analyze the illustration and consider historical context.
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