Michael Sadler Working Conditions During The 1800s

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During the 1800s working conditions were bad for all workers, including the children. Working conditions were poor, unsanitary and unsafe in the textiles and mines. A person, who brought the poor working conditions and abuse of the children workers to the public light, was Michael Sadler. Born in 1780 and died in 1835, Sadler was a social reformer and political economist. During his time, he was a active in public speaking and was principally involved in the administration of poor law. In addition, in 1829 Sadler became the chairman of the parliament committee on labor in the Duke of Newcastle. Prior to Sadler being the chairman of the parliament committee, in 1810, he served as treasurer of poor rates. Here, Sadler became interested in the …show more content…

During the 1800s, the textile industry and manufacturing process were quickly advancing and evolving. The flying shuttle (1733), invented by John Kay, speeded the process of weaving. The spinning jenny (1764), invented by James Hargreaves, was able to produce sixteen threads at once (Cole 507). The water frame (1769), invented by baber, Richard Arkwright, made it possible to produce stronger threads in greater quantity (Coles 507). Lastly, in 1799 Samuel Compton invented the spinning mule, which was a combination of the jenny and the water frame. All these machines invented during this time advance all productions across the textile industry and created an explosive growth (Cole …show more content…

When Sadler introduced a legislation he intended it to limit the working hours of children. He argued that, “The parents rouse them in the morning and receive them tired and exhausted after the day has closed; they see them droop and sicken, and, in many cases, become crippled and die, before they reach their prime; and they do all this, because they must otherwise starve. It is a mockery to contend that these parents have a choice. They choose the lesser evil, and reluctantly resign their offspring to the captivity and pollution of the mill.” (Sadler 344). Sadler hoped to limit the amount of hours because with children being at such a young age and growing, their bodies were too fatigue which would cause death. He also hoped that they would be able to receive time for

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