Child Labour Flashcards
What are some common types of jobs that children had during the Industrial Revolution?
Children often worked in factories, coal mines, as chimney sweepers, and as domestic servants. They also worked in textile mills, spinning yarn, and operating machines.
What were the typical wages of children during the Industrial Revolution?
Children were paid very low wages, often just a fraction of what adults earned. They were typically paid less due to their smaller size and ability to perform specific tasks that adults could not, like crawling through narrow spaces in mines.
What was the role of chimney sweepers during the Industrial Revolution?
Children, known as chimney sweepers, were hired to climb inside narrow chimneys to clean them. This was dangerous work, often leading to injuries and illnesses due to the soot and cramped spaces.
What were the working conditions like for children employed as domestic servants?
Domestic servants, often young girls, worked long hours in wealthy households, performing tasks like cleaning, cooking, and caring for children. They had little rest or free time and were often mistreated by their employers (sexual abuse)
What was the safety situation for children working in factories and mines?
Safety was extremely poor for children. Factories and mines were dangerous places, with machinery that could easily injure them, and in the mines, the risk of collapse and accidents was high. There was little concern for child workers’ safety.
How did the education of children in the Industrial Revolution differ from today?
Education was limited for working children. Many children who worked in factories or mines did not have the opportunity to attend school. Instead, they worked long hours to help support their families, leaving little time for education.
What were the dangers and safety issues for “hurriers” in mines?
Hurriers were children who pulled carts of coal through narrow mine tunnels. They were exposed to dangerous conditions, such as low oxygen levels, risk of collapse, and the constant physical strain of hauling heavy loads.
What were some of the key law reforms that addressed child labor during the Industrial Revolution?
Key law reforms included the Factory Acts, such as the 1833 Factory Act, which limited the number of hours children could work in factories and required regular inspections. The Mines Act of 1842 banned the employment of women and children in coal mines.
ho were some reformists advocating for the rights of child laborers during the Industrial Revolution?
Prominent reformists included Lord Shaftesbury, who campaigned against the exploitation of children in factories and mines, and Richard Oastler, who highlighted the harsh conditions of child workers in Yorkshire.
What was the impact of the Factory Acts on child labor during the Industrial Revolution?
The Factory Acts helped improve conditions for children by reducing working hours and establishing minimum age requirements for employment. This marked the beginning of labor reforms that gradually reduced child labor.
What were the effects of child labor on children’s health during the Industrial Revolution?
Child labor often resulted in poor health due to long hours of hard physical labor, exposure to dangerous machinery, and unhygienic conditions. Many children developed respiratory problems, injuries, and fatigue
How did industrialization contribute to the rise of child labor?
The Industrial Revolution created a high demand for cheap labor in factories and mines. Children were seen as a convenient source of labor because they could be paid less, fit into small spaces, and were seen as more manageable than adults.
What were some of the arguments used by those who supported child labor?
Supporters of child labor argued that it was necessary for the economy and that children needed to contribute to their family’s income. Some believed it was better for children to work than to remain idle, and that work helped build character.
How did the public perceive child labor during the Industrial Revolution?
Initially, many people were unaware of the harsh realities of child labor. However, as public awareness grew, there was increasing pressure to pass laws to protect children from exploitation and improve working conditions.
How did the invention of new machinery affect child labor?
The invention of new machinery in industries like textiles and mining increased the demand for workers, including children, as they could fit into smaller spaces and operate machines that required less strength than adult laborers.
What were the long-term effects of child labor on the children who worked in factories and mines?
Many children suffered from long-term physical and mental health problems due to the harsh conditions they worked under. Their limited education opportunities also affected their future prospects for better jobs and living standards.
What type of work did children do in textile mills during the Industrial Revolution?
Children in textile mills worked long hours operating machinery, such as spindles and looms. They were often tasked with cleaning and fixing the machines, and many worked in dangerous, noisy environments with little supervision.
What was the role of children working in coal mines?
Children in coal mines, often referred to as “trappers” or “hurriers,” performed dangerous tasks such as opening and closing ventilation doors (trapping) and hauling heavy coal carts (hurriers) through narrow and dark tunnels.
What were the responsibilities of children working as chimney sweepers?
Children, often very young, worked as chimney sweepers by climbing inside chimneys to remove soot. This work was physically demanding and dangerous, and many children developed serious health problems such as respiratory issues due to the soot and lack of proper ventilation.
What did children do as domestic servants in wealthy households?
Children working as domestic servants were responsible for chores such as cleaning, cooking, looking after young children, and doing laundry. They worked long hours and often received little or no pay, with their living conditions sometimes poor and harsh.
What were some of the major health risks associated with child labor in factories?
Children in factories faced serious health risks, including respiratory problems from inhaling dust, soot, and cotton fibers. The noise from machinery could cause hearing loss, and accidents with machines often resulted in serious injuries or even death.
What were the physical dangers children faced while working in coal mines?
In coal mines, children were at risk of being injured or killed by falling rocks, cave-ins, or explosions. The cramped and poorly ventilated tunnels led to respiratory diseases like “black lung,” and children were often overworked and physically exhausted.
Why was working as a chimney sweeper dangerous for children?
The work of chimney sweeping exposed children to toxic soot, which could cause respiratory issues such as asthma, lung disease, and even cancer. The confined spaces inside chimneys also made it easy for children to become trapped or injured.
How did long working hours contribute to the dangers faced by children in industrial jobs?
Long working hours, often exceeding 12 hours a day, led to physical exhaustion and poor health for children. This exhaustion made them more susceptible to accidents, as they had less energy and focus to perform their tasks safely.
