Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumSocialist, Communist, and Reformist Reactions to Industrialization

Source: Lord Ashley (later Earl of Shaftesbury), speech in the British Parliament during the debate over the Factory Act of 1844.

"We must not, we cannot, allow our children and women to be worked to the very bone in these houses of toil. The factory system, as currently permitted, crushes the physical health and corrupts the moral character of our laborers. By reducing the hours of labor, we do not threaten the industrial supremacy of the nation; rather, we preserve the very citizens upon whom our future depends. The state has a moral obligation to intervene and establish boundaries to protect those who cannot protect themselves."

Which of the following reactions to industrialization is best represented by the arguments in the passage?

  1. A moderate reformist effort to mitigate the social ills of industrialization through government regulationAnswer
  2. B
    A revolutionary Marxist initiative seeking to overthrow the capitalist state and abolish private property
  3. C
    A Social Darwinist campaign attempting to apply natural selection to justify unregulated working conditions
  4. D
    A mercantilist strategy aimed at maximizing the state's accumulation of bullion by controlling colonial markets

Answer

A moderate reformist effort to mitigate the social ills of industrialization through government regulation
The correct answer is correct because Lord Ashley's speech outlines a classic reformist approach to the challenges of the Industrial Revolution. Rather than seeking to overthrow the capitalist system, he argues that the British Parliament (the state) should pass laws to protect workers and regulate working conditions, reflecting the movement that led to the Factory Acts.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the stimulus document for key arguments and perspective.
The speaker argues that the factory system harms the physical and moral health of workers (specifically women and children) and asserts that the state has a moral duty to intervene and regulate working hours.
This establishes that the author is advocating for state intervention to fix problems caused by industrialization without advocating for the destruction of the system itself.
2
Identify the historical context and the category of reaction.
The speech was delivered in the British Parliament in 1844, a period marked by legislative attempts (such as the Factory Acts) to address the excesses of industrial capitalism.
This places the source within the context of moderate legislative reform rather than radical revolution.
3
Evaluate the answer options based on the identified context and argument.
The correct answer must describe a moderate reformist response that uses legislation to address industrial issues. The option stating it is a moderate reformist effort aligns perfectly with the text's emphasis on parliamentary laws and the moral obligation of the state.
This confirms the correct option and eliminates distractors that represent different economic or social theories (like Marxism, Social Darwinism, or mercantilism).

Key Concept

Reformist Reactions to Industrialization
Rate this question

Topics

Socialist, Communist, and Reformist Reactions to Industrialization

More questions from this topic