U.S. History Question of the Day Answer & Explanation

United States History Question of the Day
Answer and Explanation

Two Lowell girls
(Source:Center for Lowell History,
University of Massachusetts Lowell Libraries)

Question 0100220:

Which of the following was not a feature of the Lowell System of manufacturing that was developed in New England in the 1830s

    (A) unmarried women, many from New England farm families, worked in textile factories
    (B) Sunday schools and cultural activities were organized for the workers by factory owners
    (C) the workers began their regimented day before dawn and worked 80 hours per week
    (D) following a 15% pay cut in 1835, the employees went on strike
    (E) the owners and the workers practiced shared decision-making on working conditions, hours, and salaries

Answer:

(E) the owners and the workers practiced shared decision-making on working conditions, hours, and salaries

Explanation: The Lowell (or Waltham) System of manufacturing developed in the mill towns of New England, particularly Lowell, Massachusetts. Employees, mainly girls from New England families, worked long hours in the textile mills under the strict schedule established by the owners, who also provided dormitories and Sunday schools for moral instruction. The girls went on a brief strike in 1835 but soon returned to work. There was no employer-employee shared decision-making in the Lowell System.