Question

VOICES FROM THE FACTORY

After reviewing the evidence, summarize each piece of evidence in your words and respond to the reflection questions. Your response must be written in complete sentences.

Source B:

Average Hours Worked
Per Day

Source C:

A Description of
Factory Life by an
Associationist in 1846

Reflection Questions

1. Describe the working conditions in a factory.

2. Identify the reasons for using child labor in factories.

3. Explain the effects of factory work on women.

Answer 1

Source B reveals that workers in factories were required to work long hours, often up to 12-14 hours a day or more. Source C reveals that factory life was often tedious and dangerous with unsanitary working conditions and inadequate pay.

The main reason for using child labor in factories was due to the low cost and flexibility of employing children, as well as the lack of unions and laws to protect them. The effects of factory work on women included a reduction in wages, an increase in unhealthy working conditions, and physical exhaustion from long hours of labor.