Final answer:
The United States dealt with the issue of child labor during the Industrial Revolution by passing legislation to limit it and mandating schooling, which, along with increased mechanization, reduced the need for child labor, improved working conditions, and restructured compensation.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Industrial Revolution in the United States, child labor was a significant problem. Children were often employed in industries such as textiles, mining, and glass factories because they were cheap labor and small enough to maneuver around machinery.
As industrial work evolved, labor reform became a crucial societal focus, and by the early 20th century, efforts to limit child labor began taking shape. Progressives and other reform groups pushed for legislation to improve working conditions and reduce child labor.
Legislative Changes
Laws aimed at restricting child labor emerged in the early 1900s. At least a dozen states passed laws to limit children's work in factories, though enforcement was initially inconsistent. However, these laws, combined with an increase in compulsory education, significantly reduced the number of children in industrial labor, leading to a decrease in child labor accident fatalities and a reduction in illiteracy rates.
Impact on Working Conditions
The eventual passage of laws regulating labor and mandating schooling played a pivotal role in shifting children from factories to classrooms. The mechanization of industries also eliminated many jobs previously done by children, resulting in changes to working conditions and a decrease in the need for child workers. Over time, societal values shifted, prioritizing education over child labor, thus transforming the work experience and compensation structure for the broader workforce.