What was a primary characteristic of the labor class created during the Industrial Revolution?

The primary characteristic of the labor class created during the Industrial Revolution is reliance on mechanized production. This period marked a significant shift from agrarian economies to industrialized ones, where machinery began to play a crucial role in the manufacturing process. Factories emerged as central hubs of production, utilizing machines to increase efficiency and output.

With the advent of mechanization, the workforce transitioned from skilled artisans who produced goods by hand to a labor class that operated machines under strict conditions. This shift not only changed the nature of work but also defined the roles and responsibilities of workers, who were often required to perform repetitive tasks in a highly controlled environment. This reliance on mechanized production underpinned the changes in labor dynamics, as it necessitated workers to adapt to new technologies and workflows created by the industrial methods.

In contrast, the other potential answers highlight aspects that were largely not characteristic of the labor class during this period. For instance, increased leisure time was not a typical feature of this working class, as the demands of factory work often required long hours with little downtime. Similarly, high wages and job security were rare, as many workers faced economic instability and fluctuating job prospects. Additionally, the concept of independence from factory systems goes against the very nature of the