Question
Elizabeth Bentley, interviewed by Michael Sadler's Parliamentary Committee on 4th June, 1832
Children who worked long hours in the textile mills became very tired and found it difficult to maintain the speed required by the overlookers. Children were usually hit with a strap to make them work faster. In some factories children were dipped head first into the water cistern if they became drowsy. Children were also punished for arriving late for work and for talking to the other children. Parish apprentices who ran away from the factory were in danger of being sent to prison. Children who were considered potential runaways were placed in irons.
2.
What does this document tell you about life in the Industrial ​Revolution? Explain your thoughts. in 2 short paragraphs
Children who worked long hours in the textile mills became very tired and found it difficult to maintain the speed required by the overlookers. Children were usually hit with a strap to make them work faster. In some factories children were dipped head first into the water cistern if they became drowsy. Children were also punished for arriving late for work and for talking to the other children. Parish apprentices who ran away from the factory were in danger of being sent to prison. Children who were considered potential runaways were placed in irons.
2.
What does this document tell you about life in the Industrial ​Revolution? Explain your thoughts. in 2 short paragraphs
Answers
GPT-4o mini
The document highlights the severe exploitation and harsh working conditions faced by children during the Industrial Revolution. It illustrates how children were subjected to long hours in textile mills, leading to extreme fatigue and the use of brutal disciplinary measures to maintain productivity. The mention of physical punishment, such as being hit with a strap or being submerged in water for drowsiness, underscores the lack of compassion and the prioritization of profit over the well-being of young workers. This environment of fear and coercion paints a troubling image of industrial workplaces, where the health and safety of children were grossly neglected.
Moreover, the document reflects the broader social implications of child labor during this period. Children, often referred to as parish apprentices, were vulnerable to exploitation, with the threat of imprisonment for running away demonstrating the oppressive systems in place to control them. The emphasis on punishment for minor infractions, such as lateness or talking, reveals a rigid and punitive culture that stifled any sense of autonomy among young workers. Overall, this account serves as a stark reminder of the ethical and moral deficits of the Industrial Revolution, where economic advancement came at a significant human cost, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society.
Moreover, the document reflects the broader social implications of child labor during this period. Children, often referred to as parish apprentices, were vulnerable to exploitation, with the threat of imprisonment for running away demonstrating the oppressive systems in place to control them. The emphasis on punishment for minor infractions, such as lateness or talking, reveals a rigid and punitive culture that stifled any sense of autonomy among young workers. Overall, this account serves as a stark reminder of the ethical and moral deficits of the Industrial Revolution, where economic advancement came at a significant human cost, particularly for the most vulnerable members of society.