British Industrial Revolution: Child Labor
The British Industrial Revolution (1770 - 1850) changed the social and economic life of Britain. It established a completely new way of living and working. Prior to the Industrial Revolution, Britain was poor, though not without some economic surplus; relatively stagnant, though not completely static; and based on agriculture as its main economic activity (Deane 18). Because of the use of new food crops, such as the potato, and a decline in epidemic diseases, many of the major countries, including Britain, experienced tremendous population growth during this time. The population growth demanded the production of more goods, which soon brought about the development of factories. The technological advancements led to a new model of production and social relationships. The cottage workers were rapidly induced to long work hours in the large brick factories which resembled the stone poorhouses. Eventually, the cottage workers became unwilling to work in the factories which !caused factory and mill owners to focus on abandoned and pauper children as their labor supply. These children were infants to 16 years old, averaging 4 feet 11 inches or less, and working 13 or 14 hours a day, six days a week (Spartacus). Child labor du
were no children working in the factories who were under the minimum age. Many books were published that told the stories of the child workers and the factory conditions. Some of them were even autobiographies. Critics of the authors suggested the books would result in revolts and factory burnings. A group of children formed a group called the Manchester Factory Children Committee which supported factory legislation. All of these tactics that were used to discontinue unsatisfactory child labor episodes also played a role in the long-term impact on child labor issues in other parts of the world. Organized international efforts began with the first International Labour Conference in Berlin in 1890 (Encyclopedia Britannica). Soon after, other international movements began. Such organizations as the Child Labor Coalition (CLC) and the International Labor Organization (ILO) are now available to ensure the fundamental rights of children all around the world. These organizat! Deane, Phyllis. The First Industrial Revolution. London: Cambridge University Press, 1965. http://www.britannica.com/bcom/eb/article/2/0,5716,24432+1+24058,00.html?query=child%20labor (March 5, 2001) Michael Sadler, chairman of the parliamentary committee which sought to expose the horrid factory conditions, interviewed doctors who had experience treating people who worked in textile factories. Several of the doctors expressed concern about the vast number of textile workers who suffered from physical deformities. A doctor in Leeds, Sir Samuel Smith, described the work in factories and mills as being far from "light and easy" because of the labor being performed in a standing position. He saw many cases in which children's soft bones had been bent and the knees were weak and turned inwards. There were even cases where individuals lost 12 inches of height because of the conditions (Spartacus). One of the major complaints was the state of the factories the children worked in. A report published in July 1833 stated that most factories were "dirty; low-roofed; ill-ventilated; ill-drained; no conveniences for washing or dressing; no contrivance for carrying off dust and other effluvia" (Spartacus). Children were going from a building with temperatures of 70 or 80 degrees and up out to damp cold air causing inflammation of the lungs. Because of inhaling dust from flax and flue from cotton, children developed what became known as mill fever. The pollution in the atmosphere was a major factor in the high incidence of tuberculosis, bronchitis, asthma, and byssinosis among cotton workers (Spartacus). Many of the younger children were employed as scavengers and piecers. Scavengers had the dangerous task of picking up the loose cotton from under the machinery while the machine was still working. Many accidents occurred and many children had their hair literally torn from their heads. Piecers would lean over the spinning-machine to piece broken threads. This stressful task involved continual friction of the hand in rubbing the piecing upon the coarse wrapper wearing off the skin, and causing the fingers to bleed. Piecers had to stand with the right foot forward during the day, with his hands, feet, and eyes constantly in motion. The chief weight of his body rested upon his right knee, which is almost always the first joint to give way (Spartacus). While ther
Some common words found in the essay are:
Spartacus Children, Revolution Britain, Industrial Revolution, London Children, William Dodd, Ward Manchester, Leeds Mercury, Robert Owens, William Hughes, Factory Acts, child labor, industrial revolution, edward baines, british industrial revolution, british industrial, child workers, children employed, factory legislation, ages 9 18, ages 9, 9 18, factory conditions, spartacus child labor, march 5 2001,
Approximate Word count = 2285
Approximate Pages = 9 (250 words per page double spaced)
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