Child Labor DBQ

According to Elizabeth Bentley's testimony, what were the typical working hours when the mill was not especially busy?

• From six in the morning till seven at night

• From sunrise to noon

• From eight in the morning till five in the afternoon

• From five in the morning till five in the evening

Which statement best explains why factory owners often preferred to hire children during the early Industrial Revolution?

• Children had more education than adults

• Children accepted lower wages and were less likely to resist strict rules

• Children were physically stronger than men

• Children could operate machines that adults could not

Using Elizabeth Bentley's interview, which detail best supports the claim that factory work for children was exhausting and allowed little personal time?

• Workers could sit frequently while tending frames

• Forty minutes were allowed for meals, but there was 'not time for anything'

• Supervisors provided regular breaks for tea

• Children worked only on weekends

Based on Document 2, which consequence did child workers face if they were late, fell behind, or talked too much?

• Immediate dismissal without pay

• Reduced meal time only

• Harsh punishment such as being strapped or whipped

• Transfer to lighter duties

In the illustration of coal mining work, which task is performed by the older, stronger worker according to the description?

• Pushing the cart from behind

• Wearing a harness and pulling a cart full of coal

• Sorting coal at the mine entrance

• Supervising the children

Document 4 presents a speech from 1832 by John Charles Spencer. Which proposal did he oppose despite supporting some reforms for child workers?

• Banning all child labor

• Raising factory wages

• Limiting the workday for children to 10 hours

• Closing coal mines that used child labor

According to Spencer’s argument, what negative economic effect did he fear from the proposed 10-hour limit for children?

• An increase in factory accidents

• A fall in the rate of wages or loss of employment opportunities

• A rise in outdoor agricultural labor

• Higher taxes on manufacturers

What broader claim does Spencer make about the nature of manufacturing employment compared with agricultural or outdoor labor?

• Manufacturing is healthier than agricultural labor

• The unwholesome nature of manufacturing cannot be remedied

• Outdoor labor is more dangerous than factory work

• Factory work offers more leisure time

In the mining scene, what would likely happen to the smaller children if the worker in the harness were to fall or stumble, based on the prompt in the analysis section?

• They would be unharmed because they are far away

• They would probably take over pulling the cart

• They could be dragged or crushed by the cart

• They would immediately leave the mine

Which social group’s interests does Spencer appear to uphold when he warns that limiting employment in manufactures would produce extensive misery?

• Factory owners and the manufacturing population

• Rural landowners only

• Child reformers only

• Members of Parliament who oppose industry