The Factory Act 1833 Flashcards
Why was the government’s decision to pass the act based on efficiency rather than humanitarianism?
Because a Royal Commission concluded that tired, unhealthy workers were not productive
How did the government reconcile that act with the need to stay on the good side of business by not encroaching upon laissez faire principles?
Because the act did not concern adults, and it was argued that children could not decide what was in their best interests and so needed government protection
Where did the act apply to?
Textile factories and mills
List the stipulations of the act
- No child under 9 to be employed
- 9-12 to work a max of 12 hours and day and 48 a week
- 13-18 to work max of 12 hours a day and 68 a week
- 9-11 to receive two hours of schooling a day
Which two philosophies had a major impact on the passing of the act?
Utilitarianism and humanitarianism
What did Oastler had other members of the THM hope the act would lead to?
A limit on the hours of the adults that the children worked alongside, because the work done by adults often depended upon the work done by children, but this was not the case
Why was the idea of limiting men’s work hours disregarded
Because they were free agents and an economy run along laissez faire principles would allow the UK to be more competitive; the view of most of the employer class that dominated parliament was that if men’s working hours were restricted then profits would fall and men would be laid off
List the reasons why the act was widely ignored and so only had limited impact
- There were only four inspectors for the country as a whole and just one for the entire industrial north of England
- Many parents actually wanted their children to work long hours and bring in the much needed income, often lying about their children’s age so they could get a job and earn money
- Difficult for inspectors to decide upon children’s ages as birth records only started being taken in 1836
- Children too young to work could be hidden when an inspector visited
How was the act able to bring about positive change?
- More inspectors were appointed which meant that more factory owners could be taken to court for breaking the law
- Most prosecutions were successful
- Laid the foundations for further legislation in the 40s
Why was the act ‘going one better than the 10 hour day’ and offering 8 hours an act of efficiency rather than benevolence?
Because it meant that the issue of the act having a knock-on effect on adult hours could be bypassed through the use of shifts
Why was it more effective than previous legislation?
Due to the system of regulation through inspectors
How were vested interests catered for?
Adult hours were left untouched
What precedent had been set?
The idea that the state can intervene in working hours and the provision of education
