Between 1800 and 1860, the percentage of Americans who were…
Between 1800 and 1860, the percentage of Americans who were rose from 12 to 40%. Most were unskilled laborers, women, and children and they faced an increasingly demanding schedule. Unlike in the shop system where apprentices would live with their masters and long-term commitments were expected, these laborers did not live with their masters and the relationship between owner and laborer was more impersonal. Further, these laborers could be hired or fired as the market dictated.