Industrial Revolution The exploitation of children, work conditions and where IR did not penetrate Jennifer Sedmak

Create Cornell NOTES Write the RED Questions in the RIGHT MARGIN Write the RED Questions in the RIGHT MARGIN Listen and look at the slide, but don’t COPY notes – write notes to help answer the question & any stories, drawings, notes that will help you understand Listen and look at the slide, but don’t COPY notes – write notes to help answer the question & any stories, drawings, notes that will help you understand

Why use Child Labor? Children were employed for four simple reasons :   Many in orphanages - could be replaced easily if accidents occurred   Much cheaper than adults   Small enough to crawl under machinery to tie up broken threads   Young enough to be bullied by 'strappers' - adults would not have stood for this

John Dempsey aged eleven working in a mule-spinning room in Rhode Island in April 1909.

How were children treated and what work did they do? Those late for work were severely punished. Those late for work were severely punished. Money was deducted from their wages. Money was deducted from their wages. They were hit with straps to work faster. They were hit with straps to work faster. Some children were dipped head first into a water cistern if they became drowsy. Some children were dipped head first into a water cistern if they became drowsy. Talking to other children was forbidden. Talking to other children was forbidden. Children were placed in prison if they ran away and were caught. Children were placed in prison if they ran away and were caught. Those who were considered potential runaways were placed in irons. Those who were considered potential runaways were placed in irons.

"Woodward and other overlookers used to beat me with pieces of thick leather straps made supple by oil, and having an iron buckle at the end, drew blood almost every time it was applied." John Brown quoted in the "Lion" newspaper in 1828.

Dangerous Work The youngest children in the textile factories were usually employed as scavengers and piecers. The youngest children in the textile factories were usually employed as scavengers and piecers. Scavengers had to pick up the loose cotton from under the machinery. Scavengers had to pick up the loose cotton from under the machinery. The children were expected to carry out the task while the machine was still working. The children were expected to carry out the task while the machine was still working.

Accidents Accidents were widespread. Accidents were widespread. Workers often lost limbs Workers often lost limbs A Manchester visitor upon seeing cso many people in the streets without arms and legs “it was like living in the midst of the army just returned from a campaign." A Manchester visitor upon seeing cso many people in the streets without arms and legs “it was like living in the midst of the army just returned from a campaign."

The Mill Kids were used to mend broken parts of the machine – wouldn’t stop machines! Kids were used to mend broken parts of the machine – wouldn’t stop machines!

What was life like in the mines? In one unnamed coal mine, 58 deaths out of a total of 349 deaths in one year, involved children thirteen years or younger. Life for all those who worked underground was very hard.

Miners At the close of day. Waiting for the cage to go up. The cage is entirely open on two sides and not very well protected on the other two, and is usually crowded. At the close of day. Waiting for the cage to go up. The cage is entirely open on two sides and not very well protected on the other two, and is usually crowded. The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience. The dust was so dense at times as to obscure the view. This dust penetrated the utmost recesses of the boys' lungs. A kind of slave-driver sometimes stands over the boys, prodding or kicking them into obedience.

Dirty Work Dirty Work

What was life like for families? A room in a tenement Large families squeezed into one room. Usually shared a bathroom with other tenants on the floor. Overcrowded cities accounted for much pollution in the cities. Alcoholism, everyone worked, no school

How the other half lived… The bedroom of Cornelia Stewart, the wife of A.T. Stewart of Stewart's Department Store. The bedroom of Cornelia Stewart, the wife of A.T. Stewart of Stewart's Department Store.

What were the responses to IR? Mines Act of 1842 Factory Act of 1833

Which countries did not industrialize? Russia, Ottoman Russia, Ottoman - land-based empires - leery of west (after Peter ) - Serfdom, imports China - agriculturally-based, did not adapt…JAPAN DID! China - agriculturally-based, did not adapt…JAPAN DID! India - Cotton industry thwarted by Britain Egypt - Tried: Muhammad Ali: cotton (less dependent on Ottoman) – Britain intervenes!