20. The Revolution in Energy and Industry, ca. 1780

Quiz for Evaluating the Evidence 20.1: Debate over Child Labor Laws

1. According to Peel, why was Manchester no longer a source of recruits for the army?

The ill effects of factory work stunted children’s growth.

Factory work made potential recruits soft and lazy.

Labor organizers undermined working-class patriotism.

Most of the population had left the city in search of better economic opportunities.

Correct. The answer is a. Peel’s implicit argument was that the abuse of child laborers was a threat to national security.

Incorrect. The answer is a. Peel’s implicit argument was that the abuse of child laborers was a threat to national security.

1. According to Peel, why was Manchester no longer a source of recruits for the army?

2. Which of these best characterizes Mr. Philips’s argument against the Cotton Mills and Factories Act?

The harm done to child laborers was more than balanced by the economic benefits to the nation.

The evil addressed by the bill was actually very small and would, in any case, cure itself.

Child labor was a British tradition with a long and proud history.

If children were not employed in factories, they would have to be supported by taxpayers.

Correct. The answer is b. Mr. Philips suggested that only small factories were unhealthy and that such factories would soon be a thing of the past.

Incorrect. The answer is b. Mr. Philips suggested that only small factories were unhealthy and that such factories would soon be a thing of the past.

2. Which of these best characterizes Mr. Philips’s argument against the Cotton Mills and Factories Act?