Name:____________________ Date:_______

Ms. Cartusciello/ Mr. Quinn Global 10R

Child Labor in the Industrial Revolution

Background: With the rise of the Industrial Revolution came the demand for all workers
available. Men and women worked in the mines, factories, and the mills. There are
places however, where men and women cannot reach due to size. Children were
therefore hired to do the work. Because of the size and speed, they could move faster
then adults. Also, they did not have to be paid as much as adults, and were worked
harder then them as well.

Mines: Children as young as five would open the doors for mine carts to come through.
They would hold open doors for the mine carts to come though. Many did this in
complete darkness, as they and their families were poor and could not afford candles for
light. As they got older boys would mine coal and iron, while girls would pull it out of
the mines. Accidents were common, and children could be crushed by falling carts and
mine cave-ins.

1. Using these pictures as your sources, how are the children dressed?

2. Should this be worn in a factory/ mining setting? Why or why not?

3. Why were children employed to do the small work in the factories and mines?

4. How will this type of work impact the life of an English person living in this time
period? Is this work healthy?