Identifying the Common Theme
Chapter 7 of Beckert’s book “Empire of Cotton” explores the aftermath of the introduction of mechanized cotton production. The chapter explains that the machines that produced threads and cloth from cotton were complicated, and workers were severely punished for costly errors in machine operation. The change, combined with reduced cotton prices and lower salaries for factory workers, created inhumane working conditions.
Thus, the workers had to rebel to convey their need for comfortable working conditions and more adequate wages to the state and employers. The chapter utilized a powerful evidence base in describing the specific historical example of Ellen Hootton, one of the many workers who received terrible treatment from their employer. Therefore, the information provides substantial insight into industrialization’s impact on ordinary people.
Analysis of How the Theme Is Addressed in the Readings
The impact of the transition to the era of industrial capitalism is explored in chapter 16 of Tignor’s book “Worlds Together, Worlds Apart”. However, in comparison with Chapter 7 in “Empire of Cotton,” the text in the second book covers a wider range of topics in addition to the initial discussion of workers’ rights and their rebels. Thus, the chapter identifies how the growth of the lower working class caused a shift in political power and contributed to social changes, such as the transition from traditional religion-oriented beliefs to modern capitalist values.
Furthermore, while both texts contain a significant amount of information on the impact of industrialism in different countries, information in the first book views history primarily through the lens of the cotton industry. The chapter utilizes a solid evidence base combining information about prominent historical events with coverage of important historical personalities and visual aids, such as maps and illustrations. Therefore, in evaluating the chapter’s relative merit, one can determine that the reading provides a thorough image of industrialization’s impact on the major social institutions.
Critical Assessment of the Readings
In my opinion, the information featured in both chapters is critical for understanding the change that the introduction of machine labor had on society. However, reading Chapter 7 was easier as the coverage of different topics was extensive and contained valuable examples. Overall, the reading materials made me think about whether implementing robot labor in the future will have the same effect on society. Furthermore, will the change have a positive effect on the labor market in motivating people to develop in other directions, or will it also result in a risk of poverty for the population?
References
Beckert, S. (2015). Empire of cotton: A new history of global capitalism (Ch. 7). Web.
Tignor, R. L. (2008). Worlds together, worlds apart: A history of the world from the beginnings of humankind to the present (Ch. 16). Web.