Thief: Child Labor During And After The Industrial Revolution

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Stop the Thief that Steals Childhood The Industrial Revolution was a major turning point in history that turned America into a more efficient country. It started in 1760 and ended between 1820-1840, improving the efficiency of water power, steam power and machine tools. It was also the rise of the factory systems that increased the production of goods. For the benefits of the factories, they employed children which led to a rapid increase in child labor. Some people were against child labor so they made posters to inform others and end child labor. A famous propaganda poster “Thief!’ was made by an unknown creator in the 1920s who was against child labor. In this piece, a wealthy factory mill owner watches as two poor children work in his factory while he gets all the money. This piece of propaganda decries child labor and tries to end it by showing how child labor takes away a child’s innocence and childhood. Child labor reaches its extremes during and after the industrial revolution. With a high demand for labor, child worked to help their families survive. Factories employed children because they could be paid less than adults and were easier to control. Many children were treated like slaves and worked in exchange for food and shelter. The working conditions were horrible, according to the article, “The Industrial Revolution”, “The treatment …show more content…
The Industrial Revolution had transitioned the nation from hand production to factory machines, the new machines did not require adult strength so many factories employed children because they would be easier to control and can be paid less. Some people felt that child labor was cruel and attempts to put an end to it by making organizations and propaganda posters. The poster “Thief!” was a great example that expressed the message through visual details such as symbols and
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