Part A Why does Joshua Drake allow his children to work in textile factories? List at least two pieces of evidence. Your answer should be in full sentences. Part B How does Joshua Drake feel about a law that would limit working hours for children? How can you tell? List at least two pieces of evidence to support your answer. Your answer should be in full sentences.
Analyzing the Industrial Revolution
The Industrial Revolution had a dramatic impact on the way people lived, how economies operated, and even on the social structures of society. In this task, you will analyze some of the changes brought about by industrialization in Great Britain.
Question 1
In 1832, Michael Sadler, a member of British Parliament, headed a commission to investigate working conditions in textile factories in Great Britain. The Sadler Report, as it came to be known, led to the passage of the 1833 Factory Act, which improved conditions for child workers. Read the following passage from an interview conducted during the Sadler Report. Then, answer the following questions.
Evidence Given Before the Sadler Committee
Joshua Drake, called in; and Examined.
Q: You say you would prefer moderate labor and lower wages; are you pretty comfortable upon your present wages?
Joshua Drake (JD): I have no wages, but two days a week at present; but when I am working at some jobs we can make a little, and at others we do very poorly.
Q: When a child gets 3 s. [shillings] a week, does that go much towards its subsistence?
JD: No, it will not keep it as it should do.
Q: Do you receive any parish assistance?
JD: No.
Q: Why do you allow your children to go to work at those places where they are ill-treated or over-worked?
JD: Necessity compels a man that has children to let them work.
Q: Then you would not allow your children to go to those factories under the present system, if it was not from necessity?
JD: No.
Q: Supposing there was a law passed to limit the hours of labor to eight hours a day, or something of that sort, of course you are aware that a manufacturer could not afford to pay them the same wages?
JD: No, I do not suppose that they would, but at the same time I would rather have it, and I believe that it would bring me into employ; and if I lost 5d. [pennies] a day from my children's work, and I got half-a-crown myself, it would be better.
Q: How would it get you into employ?
JD: By finding more employment at the machines, and work being more regularly spread abroad, and divided amongst the people at large. One man is now regularly turned off into the street, whilst another man is running day and night.
Q: You mean to say, that if the manufacturers were to limit the hours of labor, they would employ more people?
JD: Yes.
Part A
Why does Joshua Drake allow his children to work in textile factories? List at least two pieces of evidence. Your answer should be in full sentences.
Part B
How does Joshua Drake feel about a law that would limit working hours for children? How can you tell? List at least two pieces of evidence to support your answer. Your answer should be in full sentences.
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