Question

why did some industrialists in nineteeth-century Europe prefer manual labour over machines?

Answer 1

In 19th century, some British industrialists preferred manual labour to machines.

(i) New technology was expensive and industrialists were cautious about using these.

(ii) Machines often broke down and repair was costly.

(iii) In Victorian Britain there was no shortage of human labour. The industrialists had no problem of labour shortage or high wage costs.

(iv) In seasonal industries, where production fluctuated with season, industrialists usually

preferred hand labour, employing workers only for the season, when it was needed.

(v) It was a symbol of status.