USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -Children were used for chimney sweeping due to their diminutive size that enabled them to fit into the very narrow and enclosed spaces that required cleaning inaccessible to an adult.

Detailed explanation-2: -The prominence of using small children as chimney sweeps began after the Great Fire of London, which occurred September 2nd through 5th, 1666. The medieval City of London was gutted in the fire; and afterwards, new building regulations designed to keep the city safer were put in place.

Detailed explanation-3: -A chimney sweep is a person who clears soot and creosote from chimneys. The chimney uses the pressure difference caused by a hot column of gas to create a draught and draw air over the hot coals or wood enabling continued combustion. Chimneys may be straight or contain many changes of direction.

Detailed explanation-4: -Instead, they were nothing less than indentured servants, harshly treated and forced to work from dawn until dusk every day of the year but one. The small boys used as chimney sweeps were typically between 5 and 10 years of age, and some were as young as 4 years old.