German Working Boys: Agricultural Work--Types

Figure 1.--This photograph from a German book published in 1891 shows two children in Sehleswig working as shepherds abd caring for lambs. Sehleswig is a disputed duchy located between Germany and Denmark. Prussia seized it in a 1864 war with Denmark. The photofrapher was Wilh. Knapp in Halle a S.
Most German children as elsewhere in Europe were primarily involved in agricultural labor until industrialization in the mid-19th century. Becayse the industrial revolution in Germany took plazce later than in Britain, some of the worst excesses involving industrial child labor were avoided in Germany. Lrge areas of Germany, especially eastern Germany, were rural meaning that children cointinued to be involved in agricultral labor. This included both various activities associated with plant crops and livestock. Younger children were commonly employed as gleaners or shepherds and as they grew could begin to assist with heavier work.











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Created: 6:22 AM 9/5/2009
Last updated: 6:22 AM 9/5/2009