London | Freedom And Movement

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Women in London

"The history of England is the history of the male line, not of the female"
~ Virginia Woolf ~

This page is deicated to London, England and explores the experiences of rich, poor, free, and enslaved women. Through the life in London, women in industry, and women at home sections, you will learn about freedoms and unfreedoms had in before and during the Industrial Revolution.

About the Timeline

This timeline outlines some of the most pivotal changes women experienced and were affected by before and throughout the prime of the industrial revolution. It will represent the development of how women were perceived in the workforce and the little changes that happened to get to where they were in 1820. One of the major key themes that are present within the timeline is the need for women within the workforce but refraining from paying women higher wages and giving them opportunities to obtain higher paying jobs. By the end of the timeline you will see the development of womens’ pay and what it took women to get there. Throughout the page one will also see specific details going off of the main claims in the timeline and get a deeper look into what women's lives looked like in London throughout the Industrial Revolution.

Before

Industrial Revolution

Women workers were unpaid

Before Industrial Revolution ..... 1740 ..... 1750s ..... 1780s ..... 1784 ..... 1791 ..... 1795 ..... 1802 ..... 1818 ..... 1819 ..... 1820

Slavery In London

Despite rampant slavery in London during this time period, it was often not talked about or recorded for many reasons. Two of the main reasons were an increase in the distaste for slavery through this time period and that books and journals written by slaves were not published. Accounts, therefore, were passed down or were recovered by historians. The ending of slave trade did not bring the end of slavery. Those already enslaved or born from slaves remained enslaved. When treated decently, slaves worked to retain their more humane environment as they did not have any control over who owned them, how they were treated, or what jobs they performed. In extremely abusive environments, slaves often tried to run away from their owners and the abuse. If they were caught they were often killed, physically assaulted, or sold away. Those who were enslaved also often experienced sexual abuse and harassment from their male owners. Once slavery was abolished women often sought jobs in prostitution as they felt it was one of the most accessible jobs for them. Society also hyper-sexualized women further pushing them into the trade. Although this happened primarily with enslaved women, it also happened with free women as they found it was often felt like the most accessible way for them to make money to support their families. Within enslaved work, the majority of women were often put to work in sugar fields in London and forced to work long hours.

London had a dramatic increase in population during the 1700s due to the economic prosperity created by the industrial revolution.

By 1750 domestic manufacturing, the production of handcrafted goods and familial trades-work had almost completely stopped.

In the mid 18th century 2 out of 3 men and 2 out 5 women were literate.

Men were opted for industry because they were considered easier to control and discipline.

Life in London

The recession hit London in the 1750s resulting in about a 30% average wage drop, unemployment, and longer workdays. Many employees during this time worked 11-hour days, 6 days a week. Even after the recession, employers retained the lower wages.

As women were more heavily introduced to the workforce in the 18th century, cotton spinning firms were conflicted between hiring male or female spinners. Eventually, men were selected because they were considered “more effective supervisors and better able to cope with maintaining the long spinning mules."

Women in Industry

A women's participation in the industry was dependent on wealth. Those with wealth opted to work while those in poverty were forced to.

When female employment become mainstream, women in the workforce were known as "operatives".

During London's economic depression at the end of the 18th century and the first 10 years of the 19th century, many unemployed women turned to prostitution. This happened as a result as women could not find jobs to support themselves or their families.

Those that did not work in factories usually were in charge of the family farm, managing crops and herds. Poor women that needed to work, were employed as agricultural servants.

Female writers and historians wrote under aliases or anonymously. Additionally, they never revealed that they were female or wrote from a fully feminist perspective. This was due to fear of repercussions privately and publicly.

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Working women were expected to learn and participate in all household duties. Considered the "arts of the home" women would begin learning how to keep a home as early as the age of 5. Keeping a home included needlework, cookery, economy, and cleanliness.

Women at Home

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Societal standards prevented women from having agency even in their own home. Sexual impropriety and modesty were of extreme concerns. Women could not bathe themselves when another female of the household was present nor could women socialize with another woman during nights even in common spaces such as parlors or kitchens.

Often women found comfort and support in each other when their home lives were hostile.

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