Question

The Industrial Revolution resulted in the rise of which two major economic classes?

• A. Capitalists and Working Class
• B. Aristocracy and Peasantry
• C. Merchants and Artisans
• D. Landowners and Laborers

Answer 1

Answer:

A. Capitalists and Working Class

EVOLUTION OF CO-OPERATION

• Origin of the Co-operative Movement

Birthplace: England

• Known as the Mecca, Cradle, and Birthplace of the Co-operative Movement

Specific origins of:

• Consumer Co-operative Movement

• Housing Co-operatives

• Agricultural Co-operatives

History

• Co-operative Movement is closely tied to the Industrial Revolution (1760–1840).

• "Hungry Forties" (1840) marked severe hardship due to industrial disruptions

Impact of the Industrial Revolution on the Cooperative Movement

Impact of the Industrial Revolution on the Co-operative Movement

Economic & Social Changes

• The Industrial Revolution led to the decline of cottage industries, causing widespread unemployment among traditional craftsmen and workers.

• It brought both prosperity and misery to Great Britain:-

• Economic growth for factory owners and capitalists

• Severe hardship and joblessness for many workers

Class Division

• Resulted in unequal distribution of wealth

Led to the formation of two major economic classes:

• Working Class – laborers with poor wages and living conditions

• Capitalist Class (Industrialists) – wealthy factory owners and entrepreneurs

• Corn Laws and Consumer Struggles

• The British Government enacted the "Corn Laws", which imposed high tariffs on imported grain

• This caused a sharp increase in prices of essential consumer commodities

• Made basic food items unaffordable for the working class

Intellectual and Social Response

• In response to these growing inequalities and social problems:

• Economists, political thinkers, and social reformers began seeking solutions

• Several reform movements emerged to address these injustices

• Quote by C.R. Fay: “Co-operation is the product of socio-economic conditions created by the Industrial Revolution.”

• Movement began in the second half of the 18th century

Friendly Societies & the Friendly Societies Act

• Friendly Societies Act, 1793

• Passed by the British Parliament in 1793

• Aimed to recognize and regulate charitable organizations that offered mutual aid and basic necessities to the poor

These societies:

• Were formed by philanthropists

• Purchased food items like bread and potatoes in bulk

• Supplied them at cost price to poor people

• Focused on charitable help, not economic reform

Key Features

• These were early charitable and mutual aid societies

• The core idea was: “Only to cure poverty, not to prevent poverty”

Impact on Co-operative Thought

• Over time, people shifted from relying on charity to exploring self-help and mutual help

• This shift laid the foundation for the Co-operative Movement

Trade Union Movement

• Emerged as a response to poor working conditions during the Industrial Revolution

Aimed at collective bargaining to secure:

• Better wages

• Improved working hours

• Safer working conditions

• Early Trade Union Example : In 1824, Charles Howarth and others started the Rochdale Weavers’ Union

Rochdale Friendly Co-operative Society (1830)

• A predecessor to the well-known Rochdale Equitable Pioneers Society

• Membership: 60 flannel weavers

• Represented the transition from Friendly Societies to full-fledged co-operatives