There are many forms of slavery. When people are compelled, against
their will, to accept employment that no normal person would accept
unless under duress, this too is slavery. Yorkshire slaves, compelled
to work under the terrible conditions that characterized capitalist
industrialization, were Industrial Yorkshire slaves. These kinds of
work were characterized by diseases or accidents, and destruction of
the environment.
Exposure to poisonous chemicals such as phosphorous, radium,
particulate matter that adversely affects lungs (coal dust,
cotton dust, stone dust, etc.)
Exposure to dangerous machinery, such as machine-belts and turning
gears, in which people's arms, legs, etc. can get caught in belts
or gears (it is cheaper not cover the belts and gears). Projectiles
or shards of metal or glass that might cause blindness, etc.
Exposure to high temperatures or very low temperatures, without
protection. Exposure to very high sounds, and other environmental
health problems, including destruction of the environment.
Lack of, or inadequate medical insurance (for workers as well as
factory owners that may not be financially able to help workers if
many people are affected).
Large, industrial cities were new. Inadequacies and lack of regulations
or laws was the standard. Lack of food, lack or preservation of food
(ice or refrigeration, Sterilization, clean water, etc.), lack of
hospitals or public health laws, inadequate collection of garbage or
sewage. Diseases took their toll: repeated outbreaks of the Bubonic
Plague, Cholera, Tuberculosis, etc. Indeed, some evidence exists that
Jane Austen died from TB.
Website Terms of Use