Why did Lowell hire young women?

Why did Lowell hire young women?

“The Lowell System required hiring of young (usually single) women between the ages of 15 and 35. Single women were chosen because they could be paid less than men, thus increasing corporate profits, and because they could be more easily controlled then men.

Why did women start working in mills?

Most of the “Mill Girls” were the daughters of farmers in the northeast. They took the opportunity to get away from the farm and make some money of their own. Sometimes girls took the jobs to help out their family or to save money for a future family.

Why do the women in the Lowell mill go on strike what do they do?

In 1834, when their bosses decided to cut their wages, the mill girls had enough: They organized and fought back. The mill girls “turned out”—in other words, went on strike—to protest. Management had enough power and resources to crush the strike. Within a week, the mills were operating nearly at full capacity.

What was a benefit of working in Lowell factories?

Working in the mills allowed women to earn money for the first time. Many women used this money to help their families pay their mortgages and complete repairs around the family home. Since most women were widowed, many daughters saw mill life as an opportunity to help out their families.

What caused the Lowell system?

The Lowell system, also known as the Waltham-Lowell system, was a vertically integrated system of textile production used in nineteenth-century New England. Lowell built on the advances made in the British textile industry, such as the use of the power loom, to industrialize American textile production.

What was the Waltham-Lowell system quizlet?

A textile factory system that was used during the 19th century in the New England region. The system used women as a cheap source of labor and used the first women workforce. The system soon declined but helped industrialize america.

What did the Lowell mill girls do for a living?

The Lowell Mill Girls were female workers in early 19th century America, young women employed in an innovative system of labor in textile mills centered in Lowell, Massachusetts. The employment of women in a factory was novel to the point of being revolutionary.

How did the Lowell system control labor supply?

Lowell found his employees in the girls and young women of the surrounding countryside. These young women had experience in weaving and spinning from home manufacturing and worked for cheaper wages than did male employees.” The Lowell system created a new way to control the labor supply.

Why was the Lowell mill system so revolutionary?

Employing women in a factory was novel to the point of being revolutionary. The system of labor in the Lowell mills became widely admired because the young women were housed in an environment that was not only safe but reputed to be culturally advantageous.

What was the typical work day in the Lowell system?

A typical work day in the Lowell System lasted about twelve hours, depending on the season. The exact hours the employees worked changed per season. From May to August, the work day started at 5am.