British Factory Legislation In Nineteenth Century

In the second half of 18^th century, the Industrial Revolution erupted in Britain. Along with the unceasing innovation of technology and the request of new production situation, factories appeared massively and factory system was also established. The establishment of factory system enormously impelled British economy to develop swiftly and violently, but simultaneously had initiated a large number of unexpected questions. Under pressure from all sectors of society, British government had promulgated and amended Factory Acts in order to improve the bad situation in entire 19^th century. The overseas scholars has conducted certain research to British factory legislation in 19^th century, but lacked system research on female workers, child laborers, workers' safety and also lacked unification of the vicissitudes of factory legislation and British Government's policy-making transformation. The domestic scholars are rarely involved in this topic. This paper attempts to make up above insufficiency, elaborates the historic course of British factory legislation in 19^th century clearly and orderly, and further discusses the influence of British factory legislation and the transformation of British Government's function.It is indicated that British factories' condition was too bad from the second half of 18^th century to the early period of 19^th century, and mainly displayed in following several aspects: One, harsh factory discipline; Two, workers' bad producing and living condition; Three, the universal existence of child laborers employment; Four, the female workers' situation was miserable, because they shouldered the dual burdens of social work and housework.The deteriorating situation in the factory aroused many social reformers' interest. They requested British government to promulgate the corresponding Factory Acts to resolve the issues. Facing pressure from various social aspects, British government enacted the first Factory Act in 1802, and tried to resolve the factory issues. The historic course of British factory legislation in 19^th century may be divided into three stages approximately: First stage, 1802—1831, the period of factory legislation attempt and exploration. In this period several Factory Acts had continued the basic principle of Poor Laws, mainly stipulating the factory apprentices' work and life. Therefore, they were not the real Factory Acts. At the same time, their applicable scope was narrow and was restricted only to the cotton manufactory. Moreover, they were resisted so hugely that they hadn't obtained the effective execution. But they attempted to stipulate the factories' condition, which was the beneficial exploration and had laid the foundation for the official promulgation of Factory Acts afterwards.Second stage, 1833—1867, the period of factory legislation establishment and perfecting. In this period Factory Acts stipulated to appoint the factory inspectors and the factory inspection system starts to be established, which enabled the execution of the factory acts to have the system guaranteed, also made Factory Acts become effective day after day, and became the reality from the early form. At the same time, women were brought into the legal category. The Industrial Revolution gradually enabled women to walk into the factory from families and their economic status became independent day after day. The Factory Acts brought them into the stipulation at the right moment, and gave them legal protection, which promoted this social stratum to enhance their own qualities and the political consciousness. The scope of Factory Acts' implementation also started gradually to expand to the workshop and the family handicraft industry.Third stage, 1867—1901, the period of factory legislation maturing and strengthening. In this period central authority started gradually to attach importance to and strengthen the implementation of Factory Acts, and also strengthened to control the local authorities. The scope of Factory Acts' management had been expanded, and covered all professions. Finally the factory acts integrated with the workshop acts.From the historic course of British factory legislation in 19^th century, we can clearly see that British government's attitude to factory legislation had undergone tremendous changes, which reflected the transformation on British government's governing concept and administration. According to the stages of factory legislation, we can also divided this transformation into three stages : the first phase, 1802—1831, laissez-faire period; The second phase, 1833—1867, the transition from laissez-faire to intervention; The third phase, 1867—1901,the state intervention period. In fact, the transformation of British Government functions had also been influenced by the ideological trends in different periods. The ideological trends in 19^th century had gone through laissez-faire advocated by Adam Smith, amendment by Mill, and neo-liberalism advocated by Green. Eventually, Britain embarked on the path that government intervened in economic development actively.In short, the promulgation of Factory Acts in 19^th century, made British workers' living and producing conditions become better and better, and was also conducive to the development of factory system. Meanwhile, from the historic process of British factory legislation in 19^th century, we can clearly see that in 19^th century British government completed the transition of their basic functions and roles. The basic framework of a modern government was established.