Child labour played an important role in the Industrial Revolution from its outset, often brought about by economic hardship. The children of the poor were expected to contribute to their family income. In 19th-century Great Britain, one-third of poor families were without a breadwinner, as a result of death or abandonment, obliging many children to work from a young age. In England and Scotland in 1788, two-thirds of the workers in 143 water-powered cotton mills were described as children. A high number of children also worked as prostitutes. The author Charles Dickens worked at the age of 12 in a blacking factory, with his family in debtor's prison. COUNT 5
QSN1 How many families were without a bread winner? ANS1 one-third QSN2 How many water-powered cotton mills used child labour in 1788 England and Scotland? ANS2 143 QSN3 Was it a low amount or high amount of children that also worked in prostitution?  ANS3 high number QSN4 Where was Charles Dickens employed as a child? ANS4 blacking factory QSN5 During the Industrial Revolution what was the main driving force behind child labour? ANS5 economic hardship