1. Child Laborers
During the 1910’s, textile mills were charged with the “enslavement” of children
Few child laborers had ever attended school
Mothers explained that if children didn’t work then their entire family would starve
Progressives campaigned for new laws to prohibit or limit child labor

2. Child-labor Laws
By 1912, child-labor laws had been passed in 39 states & some required children to learn to read before being allowed to work
Enforcement of laws was lax; many businesses depended on cheap child labor
Child coal miners, 1911

3. Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
On a Saturday in 1911, fire erupted on the eighth floor of the 10-story Triangle Shirtwaist Company building in NYC
The employees (mostly female immigrants) found escaping nearly impossible
The fire doors on the stairways were locked from the outside to keep employees from stealing fabric & elevator shafts were jammed
60 women jumped from windows to their death; 140 total workers died

4. As a result, New York legislature enacted the nation’s strictest fire-safety code

5. Homework Read Ch 18, Sn 2 (pgs 552-557)
Answer questions 1,2, & 4b page 557
Due Friday