Final answer:
Lewis Hine's photographs for the NCLC were instrumental in exposing child labor conditions, leading to state reforms and eventually federal legislation. Historical debates like those of Michael Sadler and the Progressive era's attempts to restrict child employment played key roles in reducing child labor and illiteracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Book Highlighting Child Labor Abuses
The book that brought to light the abuses of child labor is not specified, but the photographs of Lewis Hine can be considered as equivalent in impact. The detailed records and haunting images provided by Hine significantly exposed child labor conditions, contributing to the anti-child labor movement. The National Child Labor Committee (NCLC) employed Hine for a pictorial campaign that showcased the harsh realities of children working in factories. This movement led to some state-level reforms before federal legislation was eventually passed, though the battle for enforcement was ongoing well into the 20th century.
Historical accounts like those of Michael Sadler in Great Britain played a role in parliamentary debates over child labor, and in the United States, the Progressive era reforms attempted to limit the employment of children. However, it was not until the Great Depression that substantial federal legislation against child labor was enacted to protect the jobs of adults. Despite the challenges, these efforts led to a decline in child labor, an increase in school attendance, and a reduction in illiteracy rates among children.