Basic Research Throughout history, children have always worked, either as apprentices or as servants. However, child labor reached a whole new scale during the period of the Industrial Revolution. Throughout the period from the late 1800s to the early 1900s, children worked long hours in unsafe factory conditions for very low pay. They were considered useful laborers because their small size allowed them to fit into smaller spaces and they could be paid less for their services. Many worked to support their families and, in doing so, gave up their education. Many reformers and labor groups in the 19th century sought to restrict child labor and improve working conditions. The Industrial Revolution was a major factor involving child labor. It was at this time that America had entered a great boom of prosperity, and there was excess demand for many products that were becoming less and less expensive as they were produced. Due to supply outstripping demand, available factory jobs have increased significantly. The new flow of child workers was accompanied by a tremendous expansion of American industry in the last quarter of the 19th century. This led to an increase in the percentage of children aged ten to fifteen who were gainfully employed. Although the official figure of 1.75 million significantly underestimates the true figure, it indicates that at least 18 percent of these children were employed in 1900. In southern cotton mills, 25 percent of employees had under fifteen years old, half of these children under twelve years old. (Irwin, Yellowitz. "Child Labor." Child Labor. History.com, nd Web.) Additionally, the appalling working conditions of many child laborers have...... middle of paper .... .. suffered from their inability to receive a quality education. These are many things that child labor reform groups have set out to change. Works Cited Basu, Kaushik and Pham Hoang Van. “The Economics of Child Labor.” The Economics of Child Labor (1998): 412-27. Print.Daniel, Annie S. “Charities.” The Wreckage of the House How clothing is shaped in buildings. New York: n.p., 1905. 624-29. Print.Hine, Lewis. Furman Owens, Olympia Mill. 1908-1912. Photograph. The History Place, South Carolina. The place of history. The place of history. Internet. .Irwin, Yellowitz. “Child labor”. Child labor. History.com, and Web. .Levine, Marvin J. “Mines, mills and canneries”. Children for Hire: The Perils of Child Labor in the United States. Westport, CT: Praeger, 2003. 21. Print.