Final answer:
The reduction in child labor in the U.S. and Great Britain was primarily due to the mechanization of labor, progressive reforms, and compulsory education laws. This was further helped by legislative changes that were influenced by public pressure and economic shifts.
Step-by-step explanation:
Historically, the reduction in child labor in countries like the U.S. and Great Britain was due to a combination of factors. The mechanization of factories reduced the need for the manual labor that children had performed. Progressive reforms in the early 20th century were also crucial, with anti-child labor organizations pushing for legislation that limited child labor hours and improved safety. Compulsory education laws mandated schooling, effectively moving children from factories to schoolrooms and reducing child labor. Factory Acts in Britain, starting with the Factory Act of 1819, progressively restricted working hours and conditions for child laborers. Public pressure to regulate child labor and improved conditions for workers, both men and women, also led to legislative changes over time.
In the United States, shifting economic conditions during periods such as the Great Depression played a pivotal role in reducing child labor. Congress passed federal legislation banning the interstate sale of goods produced by children, although enforcement was a challenge until later in the 20th century. As child death rates fell and as farming required fewer children due to mechanization, family size decreased, contributing to fewer children being available for work.