Final answer:
The use of child labor during the Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on the population of England. Working class children were often employed in dangerous industries, which contributed to the growth of the working class population. Cheap child labor attracted more unskilled workers to the factories.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of child labor during the Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on the population of England. Working class children were often employed in dangerous industries such as coal mining, textile factories, and cleaning machines. By 1900, approximately 18% of children under the age of 16 were employed in industrial work. This not only affected the physical well-being of children, but it also contributed to the overall growth of the working class population.
Children were paid lower wages and were easily replaceable, which allowed factory owners to maintain low wages for the entire working class. The availability of cheap child labor attracted more unskilled workers to the factories, including men, women, and children from immigrant backgrounds. This influx of workers contributed to the growth of the working class population in England during the Industrial Revolution.
However, it is important to note that the harsh working conditions faced by child laborers led to the development of political lobby groups and eventually to legislation aimed at ensuring a safe workplace for children. These legislative efforts would not come until the twentieth century, but they highlight the negative impact of child labor on the population.