Chapter 4

NCERT
Class 10
History
Solutions
1. Why did some industrialists in the nineteenth century in Europe prefer hand labor over machines?

Question:

Discuss

Why did some industrialists in the nineteenth century in Europe prefer hand labor over machines?

Answer:

  • New technology was expensive and industrialists were cautious about using it.
  • Machines often broke down and repair was costly.
  • There was no shortage of human labor as poor peasants and workers moved to the cities in large numbers in search of work. Wages were low.
  • In seasonal industries where production fluctuated with season, industrialists usually preferred hand labor, employing workers for the season.
  • There was demand for goods with intricate designs and specific shapes. This required human skill, not mechanical technology.

Buy Latest Books

Teacher's Specimen