The Factories Act of 1847 established that women and children could work a maximum of 58 hours a week with weekdays limited to ten hours, Saturday to eight hours, and Sunday as the day off. This landmark bill proposed by John Fielden spoke to the societal issues of worker’s health and of the welfare of England’s youth in England’s industrialized economy however, the bill faced tenacious opposition led by Robert Peel. Through vigorous debate in 1846 and 1847, Robert Peel, the former prime minister of the Conservative Party and an advocate of free trade, outlined his opinion on the legislation. Peel rejected the Factories Act of 1847 on the basis that workers would be hurt in their finances and aspirations, England’s workers would emigrate, and
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In referencing the Germans, Italians, and French, Peel asks the question “Will not they be as desirous as we are to improve their skill, and to advance their interests?”(Peel, 13). This is important because Peel is drawing attention to the fact that England’s industrial rivals are striving to be just as good as they are. Furthermore, he attacks the idea that the English passion and workmanship is better than other nations and that as Englishmen, they “rely too much on our superiority” (Peel, 12-13). This shows that to Peel, his fellow Englishmen underestimate the ability of other nations to compete and place too much faith in England’s traditional superiority. Following the passage of the ten hours act, Peel contends that workers disenfranchised by their reduction in labor will learn of wages and less restrictions abroad (Peel, 12). He makes a point to note that travel via locomotion or boat is increasingly more accessible to workers during this time (Peel, 12). As a result, Emigration will be a much more enticing option for the working class and enable them to escape from …show more content…
First, English workers revenue would be diminished causing their ability to better themselves to decline as well. Next, disregarding English superiority workers would increasingly look to restriction free countries and rivals to work to their potential. Finally, without the means of improving character and rational of everyday Englishmen, Peel dictates he is unwilling to support such a measure. While Peel may have disagreed with his Whig colleagues and voted this act down, the idea that these politicians were considering ways to improve social conditions for workers in time a marred with worker grievances across Europe was a significant development in itself and clearly put England in a category of their
In referencing the Germans, Italians, and French, Peel asks the question “Will not they be as desirous as we are to improve their skill, and to advance their interests?”(Peel, 13). This is important because Peel is drawing attention to the fact that England’s industrial rivals are striving to be just as good as they are. Furthermore, he attacks the idea that the English passion and workmanship is better than other nations and that as Englishmen, they “rely too much on our superiority” (Peel, 12-13). This shows that to Peel, his fellow Englishmen underestimate the ability of other nations to compete and place too much faith in England’s traditional superiority. Following the passage of the ten hours act, Peel contends that workers disenfranchised by their reduction in labor will learn of wages and less restrictions abroad (Peel, 12). He makes a point to note that travel via locomotion or boat is increasingly more accessible to workers during this time (Peel, 12). As a result, Emigration will be a much more enticing option for the working class and enable them to escape from …show more content…
First, English workers revenue would be diminished causing their ability to better themselves to decline as well. Next, disregarding English superiority workers would increasingly look to restriction free countries and rivals to work to their potential. Finally, without the means of improving character and rational of everyday Englishmen, Peel dictates he is unwilling to support such a measure. While Peel may have disagreed with his Whig colleagues and voted this act down, the idea that these politicians were considering ways to improve social conditions for workers in time a marred with worker grievances across Europe was a significant development in itself and clearly put England in a category of their