Lesson 69 of 84 · Reform Movements
⭐ 30 XPLabor Reforms: Child Labor Laws
Labor reforms during the late 19th and early 20th centuries were largely driven by the emergence of child labor laws, which sought to protect young workers from exploitation and hazardous working conditions.
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Labor reforms during the late 19th and early 20th centuries were largely driven by the emergence of child labor laws, which sought to protect young workers from exploitation and hazardous working conditions. Children as young as five worked in factories, mines, and farms, often for long hours and minimal pay. Reformers, including activists like Lewis Hine, documented these injustices through photography, raising public awareness and advocating for legislative change. By the 1930s, many states had enacted laws limiting child labor and mandating school attendance, fundamentally altering the landscape of American labor and education.
Key Facts
Child labor laws began to be enacted in the late 19th century.
Lewis Hine was a key figure in exposing child labor through photography.
Many states mandated school attendance as part of labor reforms.
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1 of 2What was a major goal of child labor laws?
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