How did the Industrial Revolution contribute to the formation of unions?

The Industrial Revolution significantly transformed working conditions and labor dynamics, leading to the formation of unions primarily because workers organized for better pay and conditions. As industries grew and factories became the center of production, many workers found themselves in harsh environments with long hours, low wages, and unsafe conditions. This realization prompted workers to band together to collectively bargain for improvements.

Unions emerged as a response to the exploitation many laborers faced, aiming to advocate for fair wages, reasonable working hours, and safer conditions. The solidarity formed among workers was essential for presenting a unified front to employers, who were often resistant to change. The struggle for rights and benefits motivated these workers to collectively organize and lobby for improvements, which became a defining characteristic of the labor movement during and after the Industrial Revolution.

The other choices do not accurately capture the primary motivations behind the formation of unions. While productivity was a goal, it was not the central reason workers united. Furthermore, unions during this period primarily consisted of industrial workers rather than focusing on agricultural laborers. Lastly, unions sought to enhance and protect workers' rights, not limit them, contradicting any notion that they were restrictive in nature.