Changes in the Labor Force

Unit 9: Business & Labor

INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION

introduction of new technologies during the late 1700s and early 1800s

1st occurred in Great Britain shifted economy from agriculture driven to

capital intensive capital intensive-dependent on machines to

produce goods late 1700s→80% of labor force in farm labor by 1850→63%; 1900→37%; 1999→2%

WOMEN IN THE WORKPLACE

new technology increased the number of women receiving wages

Lowell Experiment Francis Cabot Lowell→Boston Associates hired young women from nearby

farms→”Lowell Girls” built boarding houses for employees women worked for ½ the pay of men

WWII→4 million+ women held jobs

HIGHER EDUCATION LEVELS

until the early 1900s, education limited to the wealthy

free public schools & mandatory-attendance laws caused education levels to rise

1960→41% over 25; high school degree 1999→83% over 25; high school degree college graduates

1960→7%; 1999→24%

GOVERNMENT & WORKERS

Equal Pay Act of 1963→same pay-male & female

affirmative action→eliminate inequality in the workplace

minimum wage laws 1938→1st minimum wage @ 40¢