Social Change: The Role of Cotton in Lancashire - Essay Example

Task Social Change: The Role of Cotton in Lancashire The world has been transformed through many aspects and change remains a continuous occurrence within the social setting. Many societies had been transformed by different aspects of the society and changed significantly. The society of Lancashire had consisted mainly of agricultural individuals and this was the main economic activity of the populations residing within the city (Guest, 26). While Guest narrates that cotton brought about behavioural and cultural changes into the society, Kay describes the introduction of cotton manufacturing in Manchester as the element which transformed the entire city. The introduction of cotton produced a positive effect which completely changed the highly agricultural population towards becoming a manufacturing community. Significant transformations within the society became notable and the social setting was transformed through the way individuals behave within the society (Guest, 28). Traditionally majority of the population within this region relied on arable farming to produce food for their households and any surplus would be sold. The modern day township of Manchester has become inhabited by highly industrious individuals (Kay, 44) The society within the region was comprised of individuals who upheld and believed in the high moral standards as a way of life (Guest, 26). The settlement of disputes, which rarely occurred was undertaken by clergymen, whose authority was unquestionable (Guest, 26). The harmony which existed within the community surrounding the region had since been lost and the society had become highly permissive (Guest, 27). Social norms were observed by all the members of the society, an aspect which enhanced the peace and tranquillity of the region (Kay, 45). The society could be described as having been highly religious as the observation of religious virtues was considered a mandatory aspect of human livelihood. The dress code of the people could testify to the religious beliefs upheld by the people (Tignor et al., 583). Events occurring in relation to the introduction of cotton resulted in an overall transformation of the society and this caused the people to move away for their beloved social norms to other secular behaviours (Kay, 45; Guest, 27). According to Guest, farmers within the regions were content with their traditional and cultural responsibilities and showed little support for transformations occurring within the society (Guest, 27). Men worked and provided for their families and were heavily dependent on their families for social and moral support. Their minds were directed and heavily dependent on their roles within the family (Guest, 27). The element of disunity within the basic social setting of family was a rare occurrence within this society. The dullness of life within the society culminated from the repetitiveness of activities which made human lives monotonous (Kay, 45). Significant deviations from daily responsibilities only occurred on Sundays when individuals would not be focused on performing their work related activities, but rather on religious activities (Guest, 27). The routine way of life within the society, resulted in the individuals becoming perceived as having mechanical minds (Kay, 45). Guest narrates that the introduction of cotton manufacture within the society had a significant effect upon the behaviour exhibited by the population of the region (Guest, 27). The individuals involved in undertaking the various manufacturing operations were clustered together increasing the communication between themselves. This resulted in the production of different ideologies by different people. This was the beginning of the transformation from the mechanical mind to minds which could be actively engaged in reasoning (Kay, 45). Conversations which had previously been centred on religious discussions now included different topics. The topic like war and peace, which are considered political, became the most interesting among the individual (Guest, 27). This resulted in the popularisation of political ideas and the subsequent development of public opinions regarding various political issues. The character of governments and political societies was increasingly discussed transforming the individuals to political citizens (Guest, 28). Competition became enhanced within the society as members of the society struggled to get the best remunerations from the cotton manufacturing activities. The mastery of the workmanship became a fundamental concern as this was one of the issues which enhanced the remunerations provided within the manufacturing industries (Guest, 27). The men became convinced that their skills in the performance of the operational responsibilities were essential for their social well-being (Tignor et al., 580). The moral value which the individuals held became changed in seeking to gain support from the employers. Change of behaviours based on the capability to be perceived as behaving well, by the standards employed within the cotton manufacturing industries (Kay, 45). The individuals began to consider the value of character as essential in enhancing their performance of work related activities assigned to them (Guest, 27). Kay describes the popularity of the cotton manufacturing industry as having resulted in the massive migrations of people from other regions towards the cotton manufacturing industry in search of employment opportunities (Kay, 45). Many of the traditional farming societies became interested in the earnings generated from employment opportunities within the cotton manufacturing industry. Guest writes that the increased political activities and understanding of the social rights resulted in formation of groupings seeking to push for better compensation within the industry (Guest, 27). Individuals began to perceive the introduction of cotton as having been fundamental to providing them with freedom. The freedom of movement, and liberty to make independent decisions made the individuals to become resistant to the control by the manufacturers; hence they sought both national and individuals independence (Kay, 45). The cotton manufacturing population became perceived as highly civilised, by the half informed population of peasantries (Kay, 45). The source of amusement by among the populations of the region became fundamentally transformed by the cotton manufacturing. Football, wrestling and other sporting activities which people traditionally engaged in became activities of the historical past (Guest, 27). These activities have become obsolete and forgotten by the people and many of the current pursuits of pleasure and amusement within the society are considered effeminate activities (Guest, 27). Traditional farming activities have been transformed to gardening and other simple activities. Field sports have been transformed from the hardy and enterprising characters to less manual sporting g activities. Modern Manchester has become a society which is adorned buy populations of individuals engaged in cotton manufacturing activities around the city (Kay, 44). The city is comprised of many industries and warehouses manufacturing and storing cotton products respectively. Few of the city streets are occupied by wealthy individuals, but many of the opulent merchants reside within the countryside, in environments which are considered tranquil (Kay, 44). The presence of these merchants has been fundamental in the development of suburbs around the city. The large population of cotton manufacturers within the city of Manchester has been fundamental in the making of the city to be considered a city for the rich (Kay, 45). Many of the poor dwellings remain recent establishments as the expansion of the cotton manufacturing activities has resulted in in the increased demand for labourers. The demand for labourers has increased immigration activities within the region which was traditionally inhabited by natives, who were mainly farmers (Kay, 45). These activities have become perceived as the source of the evil experienced within the society on the basis of the cultural transformations occurring within the society. The population of the city has been transformed from subsistence to a highly commercialised society (Guest, 27). The domestic economy of the population has been transformed form men working to individuals from both genders working within the cotton industry. This has been one of the fundamental changes observed, and which has produced significant transformation within the society (Guest, 27). Many individuals moving into the city, move for the fundamental purpose of working as labourers within the cotton industry (Kay, 45). This has resulted in an exponential expansion of the population as the individuals seek to become engaged in various branches of cotton manufacturing (Guest, 27). This has been perceived as an option to the demoralising and dull activities of farming. This opportunity is perceived as providing freedom from the dull activities of unending drudgery in the farms (Guest, 27). These activities have become considered as mechanising the human mind, consequently limiting the human capabilities to thinks and develop mental intellect. The human intellect has been considered to become contained in a slumber of inertness, making people engaging in farming activities remains dull (Kay, 45). The aspect of amusement from the activities which people undertake, have a fundamental effect on the transformation on the behaviours exhibited by the people (Guest, 28). In the search for are amusement and pleasurable lifestyle, the population of Manchester has been transformed from a farming community to an industrious society (Kay, 44). The introduction of cotton within the social setting ash produced immense changes within the Manchester population. The individuals have been specifically transformed in a behavioural change and transformation (Guest, 28). Economic and political ideologies have resulted in the individuals changing their behaviours and character (Tignor et al., 582). This can be termed as the distinguishing factor between the traditional and modern Manchester society. Works cited Tignor, Robert et al. Worlds Together Worlds Apart. 4th ed. New York: W. W. Norton, 2013. Print.  Read More