Children were drawn into the labor force throughout most of American history. However, it was not up until the early decades of the 20 century during the Industrial revolution that child labor peaked drastically.

This period witnessed thousands of children being forced to forgo their education and, instead, toil long hours under impoverished conditions in various industries.

Children were regarded as an asset to their employers as they were considered cheap labor, and their size and agility allowed them to maneuver themselves through narrow parts of machines. Besides being forced to work in factories, mines, and farms, many children, some as young as five, were also recruited as messengers, newsboys, peddlers and in various other menial jobs.

Lewis Wickes Hine, an esteemed American photographer and sociologist used his camera to capture the plight of these children in the labor market.

As an investigative photographer for the National Child Labor Committee, Hines began documenting in 1908 the inhuman conditions that American children were forced to endure in the work force. His photographs not only motivated the society to campaign against child labor but also urged lawmakers to introduce reforms for the protection of these children.

Check out the slideshow here to view some of Hine's photographs that brought to light child labor in the early 20th century America.

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Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Young doffers in Mollahan Mills, Newberry, South Carolina. Dec. 3/08. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Manuel, the young shrimp-picker, five years old.Understands not a word of English. Location: Biloxi, Mississippi. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Boys in Packing Room. S. W. Brown Mfg. Co., Evansville, Indiana. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Camille Carmo, Justine Carmo, seven and nine years old. The older one picks about 4 pails a day. Youngest was picking also. Location: Rochester Eldridge Bog, Massachusetts. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Three boys, one of 13 yrs., two of 14 yrs., picking shade-grown tobacco on Hackett farm. The "first picking" necessitates a sitting posture. Location: Buckland, Connecticut Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Boy making Melon Baskets, A Basket Factory, Evansville, Indiana. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Newsboy asleep on stairs with papers. Location: Jersey City, New Jersey Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Some of Newark's small newsboys. Location: Newark, New Jersey. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Francis Lance, 5 years old, 41 inches high. Sells regularly on Grand Avenue. Location: St. Louis, Missouri. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Doffers in Cherryville Mfg. Co., North Carolina. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child labor during the early decades of the 20th century
One of the spinners in Whitnel Cotton Mfg. Co. N.C. When asked how old, she hesitated, then said "I don't remember." Then confidentially, "I'm not old enough to work, but I do just the same." Location: Whitnel, North Carolina. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Girl in Cherryville Mill. Location: Cherryville, North Carolina Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Lincoln Cotton Mills, Evansville, Ind. Girls at weaving machine; warpers. Location: Evansville, Indiana. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Leo, 48 inches high, 8 years old. Picks up bobbins at 15 cents a day in Elk Cotton Mills. He said, "No, I don't help me sister or mother, just myself." Location: Fayetteville, Tennessee. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
A Boy Sweeper in Lincoln Cotton Mills, Evansville, Indiana Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
A spinner takes a glimpse of the outer world from the factory. Location: Lincolnton, North Carolina.Location: Lincolnton, North Carolina. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Boys going home from Monongah Glass Works. Location: Fairmont, West Virginia. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Children working in a glass factory midnight. Location: Indiana. Library of Congress, Prints &
Child Labor during early decades of the 20 century
Young Driver in Mine: Had been driving one year. (7 A.M. to 5:30 P.M. Daily) Location: Brown, West Virginia. Library of Congress, Prints &