Which social reform was catalyzed by the harsh working conditions during the Industrial Revolution?

The social reform that emerged as a response to the harsh working conditions during the Industrial Revolution is legal protections for child workers. During this period, factories and mines often employed children in dangerous and unhealthy environments for long hours and minimal pay. The widespread recognition of the negative impact of these conditions on children’s health and development led to public outcry and advocacy for reform.

Advocates emphasized the need for regulations to limit child labor, ensuring that children were not exploited in the workforce. This culminated in various laws and reforms, such as the Factory Acts in the United Kingdom, which introduced age restrictions, limited working hours, and mandated certain safety standards. These legal protections were crucial in reducing child labor and improving working conditions, thus marking a significant step toward better labor rights and social justice during that era.

In contrast, the other options, while they might relate to social changes in broader contexts, do not directly stem from the immediate consequences of industrial working conditions. Agricultural labor movements focused on rural workers rather than those in industrial settings. The establishment of public schools was influenced by broader educational reforms rather than specifically by industrial labor issues. Government subsidies for industries were more about economic support rather than directly addressing the social and labor injustices faced during the Industrial Revolution.