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Introduction of machines
The introduction of machines made it easier for children to do more work and gave children more potential work opportunities. For example, a businessman hired a child to build a textile factory around London to "prevent habitual laziness and degeneration." Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton's Report
Alexander Hamilton, as Secretary of the Treasury, noted in a report on manufacturing that children “who would otherwise be idle” could become a source of cheap labor. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
Period: to
start and end of child labor
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Federal Register Advertising in Baltimore
An advertisement in the Federal Register of Baltimore required children aged 8 to 12 to work in a spinning mill. And also states, "Citizens with family knowledge and no children are expected to act for the public good by directing them to the spinning mill.'' Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
overworking
Many U.S. children toiled in factories for 70 hours a week, until child labor laws went into effect in the 1900s. A History of Child Labor
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Va9x8rhXo2ZjR3JBBdvMCdAsstSseRkLeMF9bd7_klo/edit -
the start of child labor
Connecticut enacts the first law requiring the schooling of working children. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
New England Factory Employee
Children made up more than 40 percent of the mill employees in at least three New England states. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
New England investigate child labor
New England Association of Farmers, Mechanics, and other working men create a committee to investigate child labor. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
PA set a first state minimum age in child labor
PA becomes the first state to set a minimum age for factory workers at twelve; in effect, the law is the first statewide ban of child labor based on age. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
Census for child labor
The 1870 census found that 1 out of every 8 children was employed. This rate increased to more than 1 in 5 children by 1900. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions
Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions founded and calls for ablation of child labor (later changed name to AFL) Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
The National Child Labor committee
The private, non-profit National Child Labor Committee was formed with the mandate "to combat the danger in which childhood is placed by greed. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
Legislation passed for sectaries of commerce
Legislation passed to allow sectaries of commerce and labor to investigate and report on child labor. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 1: little children working” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-1.htm -
Child labor tax law
Congress passes Child Labor Tas Law, which takes effect April 25, 1919 Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 2: the reform movement” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-2-the-reform-movement.htm -
Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act
Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act requires those receiving government contracts to have a forty-hour, fair pay, and minimum working age. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 2: the reform movement” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-2-the-reform-movement.htm -
Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act
Congress passes the Fair Labor Standards Act. President Franklin Roosevelt signs the law the same day. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 2: the reform movement” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-2-the-reform-movement.htm -
Supreme Court upholds Fair Labor Standards Act
Supreme Court upholds the Fair Labor Standards Act, preempting the Child Labor Amendment. Schuman Michael “History of child labor in the United States—part 2: the reform movement” Bureau of Labor Statistics, January 2017. https://www.bls.gov/opub/mlr/2017/article/history-of-child-labor-in-the-united-states-part-2-the-reform-movement.htm