The years after the Civil War were followed by industrialization, the United States emerged as an industrialized nation. Due to so many new opportunities emerging in steal manufacturing, petroleum refining, the use of railroads and the increasing use of electrical power many factories began to need workers to run their machines. The need to become one of the world top industrial powers led the government to turn the other cheek on working conditions, especially children’s. This era of industrial growth formed a system of hierarchy in society, wealthy entrepreneurs and factory owners were on top, then came middle class families, and of course poor families, better known as the working class.
With the belief that moving to these industrialized areas would provide work, many rural families set their sights on moving to these largely populated cities. Unfortunately conditions for workers in these "industrialized" areas were not as pictured, instead they discovered that these jobs consisted of long hours and little pay. To keep the family from starvation every member had to work including the children. In a way the families were foolishly led on by these owners who assured them that they would find a better place to live and make ends meet.
With the belief that moving to these industrialized areas would provide work, many rural families set their sights on moving to these largely populated cities. Unfortunately conditions for workers in these "industrialized" areas were not as pictured, instead they discovered that these jobs consisted of long hours and little pay. To keep the family from starvation every member had to work including the children. In a way the families were foolishly led on by these owners who assured them that they would find a better place to live and make ends meet.
http://www.eiu.edu/eiutps/childhood.php
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