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Why did some industrialists in the nineteenth century Europe prefer hand labour over machines?
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Why did some industrialists in the nineteenth century Europe prefer ha...
Industrialists Preferring Hand Labour over Machines in 19th Century Europe


Although the Industrial Revolution brought about a significant shift towards the use of machines in manufacturing, some industrialists in 19th century Europe preferred hand labour over machines for various reasons.


Lower Initial Investment


  • One of the primary reasons for preferring hand labour was the lower initial investment required.

  • Buying and maintaining machines was expensive and required significant capital investment.

  • On the other hand, hiring workers did not require a huge investment and could be done on an as-needed basis.



Flexibility


  • Hand labour provided greater flexibility than machines.

  • Workers could be hired or laid off as required, depending on the demand for the product.

  • This allowed industrialists to adjust their production according to market demands without incurring significant costs.



Quality Control


  • Hand labour was preferred when the quality of the product was critical.

  • With machines, quality control could be difficult and sometimes impossible.

  • Hand labour allowed for greater attention to detail and quality control, which was especially important for luxury goods or products that required a high degree of precision.



Resistance to Change


  • Some industrialists were resistant to change and preferred traditional methods of manufacturing.

  • They were skeptical of the new technologies and believed that the quality of products made by hand was superior to those made by machines.

  • They also feared that machines would lead to job losses and disrupt the social order.



Lack of Skilled Workers


  • In some cases, industrialists preferred hand labour because there was a lack of skilled workers.

  • With the rapid pace of industrialization, there was a shortage of skilled workers who could operate and maintain machines.

  • As a result, some industrialists relied on hand labour as a stop-gap measure until they could train or attract skilled workers.



In conclusion, while the use of machines was an important aspect of the Industrial Revolution, some industrialists in 19th century Europe preferred hand labour for various reasons. These included lower initial investment, flexibility, quality control, resistance to change, and a lack of skilled workers.
Community Answer
Why did some industrialists in the nineteenth century Europe prefer ha...
Ans. Some industrialists were reluctant to introduce new machines and preferred hand
labour over machines because
(i) There was no shortage of human labour during nineteenth century Europe.
Poor peasants moved to the cities in huge numbers in search of work.(ii) In many industries such as gas works and breweries the demand for labour was seasonal.
So industrialists usually preferred hand labour, employing workers for the season.
(iii) A range of products could be produced only with hand labour. Machines were oriented
to producing uniforms, standardised goods for a mass market. But the demand in the market
was often for goods with intricate designs and specific shapes. These things could be
produced only manually.
(iv) The upper classes consisted of the aristocrats and bourgeoisie preferred things produced
by hand.
(v) Handmade products came to symbolise refinement and class. They were better finished
and carefully designed.
(vi) Maintaining modern industries was an expensive affair. The wear and tear of machines
was costly. They were not as effective as they were declared by their inventors and
manufacturers. Hence, industrialists were cautious about using them.
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Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows:A range of products could be produced only with hand labour. Machines were oriented to produce uniforms, standardised goods with intricate designs and specific shapes. In mid-nineteenth century Britain, for instance, 500 varieties of hammers were produced and 45 kinds of axes. These required human skill, not mechanical technology. In Victorian Britain, the upper classes – the aristocrats and the bourgeoisie – preferred things produced by hand. Handmade products came to symbolise refinement and class. They were better finished, individually produced, and carefully designed. Machine made goods were for export to the colonies. In countries with labour shortage, industrialists were keen on using mechanical power so that the needed for human labour can be minimised. This was the case in nineteenth-century America. Britain, however, had no problem hiring human hands.Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:Q. ............... were Standardised products, which were produced for a mass market.

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows:A range of products could be produced only with hand labour. Machines were oriented to produce uniforms, standardised goods with intricate designs and specific shapes. In mid-nineteenth century Britain, for instance, 500 varieties of hammers were produced and 45 kinds of axes. These required human skill, not mechanical technology. In Victorian Britain, the upper classes – the aristocrats and the bourgeoisie – preferred things produced by hand. Handmade products came to symbolise refinement and class. They were better finished, individually produced, and carefully designed. Machine made goods were for export to the colonies. In countries with labour shortage, industrialists were keen on using mechanical power so that the needed for human labour can be minimised. This was the case in nineteenth-century America. Britain, however, had no problem hiring human hands.Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:Q. .............. products symbolised refinement and class.

Read the source given below and answer the questions that follows:A range of products could be produced only with hand labour. Machines were oriented to produce uniforms, standardised goods with intricate designs and specific shapes. In mid-nineteenth century Britain, for instance, 500 varieties of hammers were produced and 45 kinds of axes. These required human skill, not mechanical technology. In Victorian Britain, the upper classes – the aristocrats and the bourgeoisie – preferred things produced by hand. Handmade products came to symbolise refinement and class. They were better finished, individually produced, and carefully designed. Machine made goods were for export to the colonies. In countries with labour shortage, industrialists were keen on using mechanical power so that the needed for human labour can be minimised. This was the case in nineteenth-century America. Britain, however, had no problem hiring human hands.Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:Q. ................. varieties of hammers and ................ kinds of axes were produced in Britain in mid nineteenth century.

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Why did some industrialists in the nineteenth century Europe prefer hand labour over machines?
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