Student Question
What led to the improvement of working conditions during the Industrial Revolution?
A. Factory owners voluntarily introducing change
B. Governments introducing enlightened legislation
C. Workers revolutions in toppling established governments
D. Workers and factory owners voluntarily cooperating with one another
Quick answer:
The improvement of working conditions during the Industrial Revolution was primarily due to governments introducing enlightened legislation, such as the Factory Act of 1833 in Great Britain, which imposed regulations on child labor. This method contrasts with the voluntary actions of factory owners or cooperative efforts between workers and owners, which were less common. Such legislative measures were crucial in both Britain and the United States, making option B the most accurate answer.
The best of these answers is B, although this could vary since you are asking about the whole span of the Industrial Revolution and you do not specify what country you are talking about.
Typically, improvements in working conditions did arise as a result of government actions. There are a number of examples that can be seen in the history of Great Britain. One of these was the Factory Act of 1833. This law set a number of conditions on children working in factories. It was opposed by factory owners (which makes A and D incorrect at least in that case) but was passed even so.
Many improvements in working conditions arose in this way both in Britain and in the United States.
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