Reactions to the Industrial Revolution and Free Market Capitalism

Overview

Not everyone was pleased with the Industrial Revolution and the spread of free market capitalism.
It led to various reactions and calls for reform among the working class.

Factory work was monotonous and involved long hours with low pay.
This situation led to calls for various reforms:
- Political Reform: Expansion of voting rights led to the rise of mass-based political parties.
- Social Reform: Formation of social societies for insurance and social events.
- Educational Reform: Compulsory education laws were passed to prepare children for technical jobs.
- Urban Reform: Development of sanitation infrastructure due to overcrowding and poor sanitation.

Labor unions formed to protect workers' interests, giving them collective bargaining power.
Initially illegal, they grew to bargain for better wages, hours, and conditions.
Unions influenced political reforms and some evolved into political parties, like the German Social Democratic Party.

Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels critiqued capitalism, predicting a classless society after a proletariat revolution.
Published "The Communist Manifesto" advocating for scientific socialism.

Faced trade deficits and the Opium Wars with Britain.
Initiated the Self-Strengthening Movement to modernize and industrialize.
Reforms were half-hearted, hindered by conservative resistance, and failed after the Sino-Japanese War.

Known as the "sick man of Europe" due to territorial losses and reliance on industrial nations.
Implemented the Tanzimat Reforms, which were more aggressive than China's efforts.
Introduced western-style laws, education, and infrastructure.
Led to the rise of the Young Ottomans who desired a constitutional government.

Both China and the Ottoman Empire attempted defensive industrialization with varying success.
The Ottoman reforms were more effective but couldn't prevent the collapse of the Empire.