Social Reform:Social Reform:Labour Legislation inLabour Legislation in1919thth Century England Century England

When the Industrial Revolution began, there When the Industrial Revolution began, there were no laws in place to protect the workers. were no laws in place to protect the workers. As we discussed before, children were popular As we discussed before, children were popular as factory workers because they could be paid as factory workers because they could be paid less and more easily controlled. Up to the less and more easily controlled. Up to the 1830’s, the only law was the desire of owner or 1830’s, the only law was the desire of owner or manager. manager.

Review – what were some conditions Review – what were some conditions children had to endure working in textile children had to endure working in textile factories?factories?

Common day for many children labourers in Common day for many children labourers in Lancashire, England 1820. Lancashire, England 1820.

Children working in a textile factory

Many children also worked incoal mines, helping power Englandthrough the Industrial Revolution

In the early 1830’s many In the early 1830’s many factory owners had no factory owners had no problem with this status problem with this status quo. There were however, quo. There were however, those who were beginning those who were beginning to speak out against child to speak out against child labour. Who would listen?labour. Who would listen?

Your taskYour task

It is 1832. The gov’t has decided to set It is 1832. The gov’t has decided to set up a up a commissioncommission to investigate to investigate working conditions of children. This working conditions of children. This commission is willing to hear commission is willing to hear testimony from various groups testimony from various groups involved with the textile industry in involved with the textile industry in England. England. ParliamentParliament will decide on will decide on possible possible legislationlegislation based on your based on your testimony. You will only have one testimony. You will only have one chance so you will want to make a chance so you will want to make a convincing case for or against reform.convincing case for or against reform.

Doctors Opposed to Child Doctors Opposed to Child LabourLabour

Dr. William Blizard

Dr. Samuel Smith

Dr. Michael Ward

P. Gaskell (Medical Observer)

Factory Owners/Politicians Factory Owners/Politicians Opposed to ReformOpposed to Reform

Henry Thomas Hope

Archibald Buchanan

Various Observers and Various Observers and Supporters of ReformSupporters of Reform

Robert Owen

William

Cobbett

RobertBlinco

e

Child LabourersChild Labourers

JosephHeberg

am

David Rowlan

d

ElizaMarsha

ll

Elizabeth

Bentley

Michael SadlerMichael Sadler In 1831 Michael Sadler

(1780–1835), a member of the British Parliament, introduced a bill in Parliament to limit the number of hours that all children could work to ten hours per day. The success of his bill was by no means guaranteed.

Many members of Parliament were deeply committed to the policy of laissez-faire, meaning the government should not intervene in the operation of the economy.

To present a convincing argument, To present a convincing argument, Sadler collected testimony from dozens Sadler collected testimony from dozens of individuals including doctors and of individuals including doctors and childrenchildren

(many of which you just read)(many of which you just read)

Even though the 10 hour work day was not achieved, the bill was eventually was approved by Parliament as the Factory Regulations Act of 1833.

The 1833 Factory Act was significant because also created an inspection team to ensure the regulations would be followed.

Did things change?Did things change?

1833 Factory 1833 Factory Act Act

1842 Mines 1842 Mines and Colleries and Colleries Act Act

1844 Factory 1844 Factory Act Act

1847 Factory 1847 Factory Act Act

Cotton Mill

1833 Factory Act1833 Factory Act

Children from 9 to 13 to work a maximum Children from 9 to 13 to work a maximum of 42 hours per week; also children aged of 42 hours per week; also children aged 13 to 16 to work a maximum of 69 hours a 13 to 16 to work a maximum of 69 hours a week. No night work for anybody under week. No night work for anybody under the age of 18.the age of 18.

1842 Mines and Collieries 1842 Mines and Collieries ActAct

Banned all women and children under 10 Banned all women and children under 10 from working underground. No-one under from working underground. No-one under 15 years was to work winding gear in 15 years was to work winding gear in mines.mines.

1844 Factory Act1844 Factory Act Minimum age for working in factories reduced Minimum age for working in factories reduced

to 8 years old. 8 to 13 years old to work a to 8 years old. 8 to 13 years old to work a maximum of six and a half hours a day. 13 to maximum of six and a half hours a day. 13 to 18 year olds to work a maximum of 12 hours a 18 year olds to work a maximum of 12 hours a day and the same applied to women. Safety day and the same applied to women. Safety guards had to be fitted to all machines. guards had to be fitted to all machines.

1847 Factory Act1847 Factory Act

10 hour day introduced for under 18's and 10 hour day introduced for under 18's and for women.for women.

The long-term effect of these laws was the establishment in Western industrialized countries the principle that childhood was a period of life set aside for education rather than work.

However…child labour still exists However…child labour still exists today. today.