Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
Industrialisation and social change in Britain, 1759–1928: forging a new…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 34.1: Industrialisation and social change in Britain, 1759–1928: forging a new society - 1 Changing patterns of adult work and working conditions: Reasons for changes to working patterns and conditions, 1759–1928: the impact of legislation (key development: the 1833 Factory Act); the initiatives of employers, including the work of Titus Salt; the impact of technology (key developments: the move from domestic to factory employment from the mid-eighteenth century, the shift from water to steam power from the late eighteenth century, the spread of electrical power in the early twentieth century); the impact of the First World War on patterns of work.
Between 1759 and 1928, adult work shifted from domestic settings to factories, with legislation, employers, technology and war as drivers.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between 1759 and 1928, adult work shifted from domestic settings to factories, with legislation, employers, technology and war as drivers. The 1833 Factory Act limited child labour and created factory inspectors, showing legislation could regulate hours and conditions. Employers such as Titus Salt built model communities like Saltaire, providing housing and amenities, though often with moral and productivity motives. Technology reshaped work: domestic to factory employment from the mid-eighteenth century; water to steam power from the late eighteenth century; and electrical power in the early twentieth century. The First World War brought women into munitions and heavy industry, altered hours and diluted skilled work, but many gains were reversed afterwards. Assessed through source analysis and essays on causation and significance.
What earns the marks
- Explains how the 1833 Factory Act set limits on child labour and established factory inspectors, illustrating legislative impact on hours and conditions.
- Assesses employer initiatives such as Titus Salt's Saltaire, noting provision of housing, schools and amenities alongside business and moral motives.
- Traces technological change: domestic to factory employment from the mid-eighteenth century, water to steam power from the late eighteenth century, and electrical power in the early twentieth century.
- Evaluates the First World War's effect on patterns of work, including women's entry into munitions and heavy industry, changes to hours and skill dilution, and post-war reversals.
- Compares the relative importance of legislation, employers, technology and war across the period, using specific examples and chronology.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Treating the 1833 Factory Act as applying to all workers.
Put it right: It focused on child labour and textile factories, with inspectors to enforce limits.
Assuming Titus Salt's initiatives were purely philanthropic.
Put it right: They combined welfare provision with business efficiency and moral control.
Claiming technological change was uniform and immediate.
Put it right: Water to steam and electrical power spread unevenly across industries and regions.
Exam tips
- Use precise dates and named examples, such as 1833, Saltaire, and the First World War, to support causal claims.
- Link each factor to specific changes in hours, wages, skill levels or workplace location.
- When comparing factors, weigh their impact over time rather than listing them separately.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 34.1: Industrialisation and social change in Britain, 1759–1928: forging a new society - 1 Changing patterns of adult work and working conditions: Reasons for changes to working patterns and conditions, 1759–1928: the impact of legislation (key development: the 1833 Factory Act); the initiatives of employers, including the work of Titus Salt; the impact of technology (key developments: the move from domestic to factory employment from the mid-eighteenth century, the shift from water to steam power from the late eighteenth century, the spread of electrical power in the early twentieth century); the impact of the First World War on patterns of work. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which key development of the 1833 Factory Act significantly changed the working patterns of children in textile mills?
Listen
Between 1759 and 1928, adult work shifted from domestic settings to factories, with legislation, employers, technology and war as drivers. The 1833 Factory Act limited child labour and created factory inspectors, showing legislation could regulate hours and conditions. Employers such as Titus Salt built model communities like Saltaire, providing housing and amenities, though often with moral and productivity motives. Technology reshaped work: domestic to factory employment from the mid-eighteenth century; water to steam power from the late eighteenth century; and electrical power in the early twentieth century. The First World War brought women into munitions and heavy industry, altered hours and diluted skilled work, but many gains were reversed afterwards. Assessed through source analysis and essays on causation and significance. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how the 1833 Factory Act set limits on child labour and established factory inspectors, illustrating legislative impact on hours and conditions. Assesses employer initiatives such as Titus Salt's Saltaire, noting provision of housing, schools and amenities alongside business and moral motives. Traces technological change: domestic to factory employment from the mid-eighteenth century, water to steam power from the late eighteenth century, and electrical power in the early twentieth century. Evaluates the First World War's effect on patterns of work, including women's entry into munitions and heavy industry, changes to hours and skill dilution, and post-war reversals. A common slip: Treating the 1833 Factory Act as applying to all workers. Instead, it focused on child labour and textile factories, with inspectors to enforce limits. Exam tip: Use precise dates and named examples, such as 1833, Saltaire, and the First World War, to support causal claims.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Legislation and regulation
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Employer paternalism and model communities
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Technological transition and power sources
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War and social change
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- Legislation and regulation
- The 1833 Factory Act limited child labour and created factory inspectors, showing that law could regulate hours and conditions.
- Employer paternalism and model communities
- Employers such as Titus Salt built model communities like Saltaire, providing housing and amenities, though often with moral and productivity motives.
- Technological transition and power sources
- Work moved from domestic to factory employment from the mid-eighteenth century, from water to steam power from the late eighteenth century, and to electrical power in the early twentieth century.
- War and social change
- The First World War brought women into munitions and heavy industry, altered hours and diluted skilled work, but many gains were reversed afterwards.
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Test your understanding of Paper 3, Option 34.1: Industrialisation and social change in Britain, 1759–1928: forging a new society - 1 Changing patterns of adult work and working conditions: Reasons for changes to working patterns and conditions, 1759–1928: the impact of legislation (key development: the 1833 Factory Act); the initiatives of employers, including the work of Titus Salt; the impact of technology (key developments: the move from domestic to factory employment from the mid-eighteenth century, the shift from water to steam power from the late eighteenth century, the spread of electrical power in the early twentieth century); the impact of the First World War on patterns of work.
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