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How child labourers toiled in America
Child labour was rampant in America during 1876 to 1900. A large number of children worked in hazardous conditions in mines, glass factories, textiles, agriculture, canneries and small industries during the industrial boom.
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Images, courtesy: Library of Congress
How child labourers toiled in America
Workdays would often be 10 to 14 hours with minimal breaks during the shift.
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How child labourers toiled in America
From cleaning filth from the city's roads to doing more hazardous jobs like working in damp coal mines and glass-factory furnaces, these children risked their lives to make ends meet.
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How child labourers toiled in America
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How child labourers toiled in America
By 1911, more than two million American children under the age of 16 were working – many of them 12 hours or more, six days a week.
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How child labourers toiled in America
The industrial growth transformed American society creating a wealthy group, leaving hundreds of people extremely poor.
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How child labourers toiled in America
Large number of families migrated from rural areas to cities hoping for job security and prosperity.
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How child labourers toiled in America
Many rural families migrated to cities in search of greener pastures.
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How child labourers toiled in America
However, most of them were disappointed as the jobs demanded long hours and offered little pay.
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How child labourers toiled in America
Every family member was required to work, even 3-year old kids.
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How child labourers toiled in America
Workdays would often be 10 to 14 hours with minimal breaks during the shift.
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How child labourers toiled in America
Many children were afflicted by chronic disease, due to long hours and exposure to hazardous materials.
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How child labourers toiled in America
Most of the jobs demanded long hours and very little income.
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How child labourers toiled in America
As a result of this, education was sidelined. Children could not afford to go to schools.
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How child labourers toiled in America
Many labour unions and social reformers fought for legislations to prevent extreme child labour during that time and finally put an end to this practice.