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
Workdays would often be 10 to 14 hours with minimal breaks during the shift.
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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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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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The industrial growth transformed American society creating a wealthy group, leaving hundreds of people extremely poor.
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Large number of families migrated from rural areas to cities hoping for job security and prosperity.
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Many rural families migrated to cities in search of greener pastures.
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However, most of them were disappointed as the jobs demanded long hours and offered little pay.
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Every family member was required to work, even 3-year old kids.
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Workdays would often be 10 to 14 hours with minimal breaks during the shift.
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Many children were afflicted by chronic disease, due to long hours and exposure to hazardous materials.
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Most of the jobs demanded long hours and very little income.
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As a result of this, education was sidelined. Children could not afford to go to schools.
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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.
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