Figure 1.--This is a close-up from the photo of workers in the Tifton (Georgia) Cotton Mills. The photo was taken in January 1909. With the worker children (barefoot also in January) there is a boy well clothed with a ball. One might think he was the son of one of the mill managers. Source: Library of Congress LC-DIG-nclc-05393.

Many of the Founding Fathers led by Jefferson saw America's future as a great agrarian republic based upon the small farmer. It was, however, Hamilton's vision of America as a mercantile economy that proved to the more astute assessment. Some of the worst conditions experienced in Britain during the early-19th century did not occur in America because of the more limited industrial development and the beconing Frontier offered opportunity that made it difficult to oppress labor, except in the slave-holding South. Until the Civil War large numbers of American boys labored in rural areas. Black boys labored on southern plantations. White boys were also an important part of the rural labor force, although primrily on family farms. This was not as idealic as is often assumed. None less than Abraham Lincoln became estranged from his father because of the way he would be hired out to neighbors. After the Civil War (1861-65) as American industry rapidly expanded, the Frontier began to close, and immigrants willing to work for low wages poured into America, working conditions became an increasingly severe problem. As in Europe, conditions for children were especially horendous. The fact thst immigrants came in such large numbers means that conditions in America were better for workers. There were more opportunities and living standards were higher. There were, however, no legal protections for children.

Created: 6:24 AM 3/8/2010
Last updated: 6:25 AM 3/8/2010