"Are We Nothing But Living Machines?" A New York Sewing Woman Protests Wages and Working Conditions, 1863
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| Type: | Library or Collection |
| Grade Level: | Secondary, Post-secondary |
Author: Center for History and New Media/American Social History Project
Subject: Humanities
Institution Name:
American Social History Project/Center for History and New Media
Collection Name: Many Pasts (CHNM/ASHP)
Abstract: Since at least the 1830s, New York working women endured low pay, long hours, and difficult working conditions. Concerned observers noted that some were even forced to turn to prostitution to supplement their meager incomes. During the Civil War, poor men flocked to the army (wealthier men could purchase substitutes for $300). The women left behind were now responsible for supporting families on their own. While wartime production created additional opportunities for women to work, it also led to even greater exploitation as factory owners pushed their workers to turn out more goods. Under these conditions, some women, such as this one, suggested that collective action might provide a solution.
Details
Specific
Types of Materials: Teaching and Learning Strategies
Language: English
Conditions of Use: No License
