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During the Industrial Revolution (During a period between the 18th and 19th century which created

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During the Industrial Revolution (During a period between the 18th and 19th century which created major technological advances were created) in Britain a number of social problems arose. Two of the major issues were the state of working conditions for lower paid workers including child labour and the lack of general sanitation practises and infrastructure. Despite the early social problems of working conditions and sanitation created by the Industrial Revolution the long term social reforms including the Factory Act in 1833 and the Public Health Act in 1848 outweigh the short term issues encountered.

The use of child labour was common in the 18th and 19th century but in the years of the Industrial Revolution exploitation particularly of …show more content…

During the Industrial revolution innumerable deaths were caused by the outbreak of infectious diseases. Due to the lack of sanitation in Industrial Britain disease spread through towns and communities very quickly. With no enforceable building regulations and even basic sanitary facilities required, many of the poorest people were left vulnerable to these outbreaks. Buildings were often overcrowded with up to thirty people living in one building at one time. Other problems such as sewage leaks and pipe burst contributed to the spread of diseases. Polluted water and lack of bathing facilities added to poor general hygiene. According to Elizabeth Isola “The first outbreak of cholera, which is often spread by water contaminated with faecal matter, was in Sunderland, England, in the fall of 1831. In the course of the outbreak, 52,000 died. From 1837-1838." Two major long term reforms, the Factory Act in 1833 and the Public Health act in 1848 lead to the reduction of the harsh brutality of child labour and better means of sanitation for the general population. The Factory Act dramatically changed conditions for young children and set age limits and working hour limitations. Several changes that the 1833 Factory Act stated by The National Archives “Children under the age of 9 could not be employed, Children that were 9-13 could only work 9 hours a day and they couldn’t work at night." In addition, the Public Health Act in 1848

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