Why did Britain make it illegal for factory workers to leave the country?

Answer 1

Because British People did not want their workers to go and work in Another Country. Then the other country will start making the same goods for a cheaper price and Britain wont get any profit. :)

Answer 2

Countries and territories - while we still have them - are social experiments and in some life is far worse than elsewhere prompting many to wish to leave. Consider East Germany. Before the borders with West Germany were shut and fortified thousands left East Germany on a daily basis. This could not be tolerated by the elites as virtually nobody who couldn't find employment in the west would voluntarily subject themselves to a regime that offered a far worse standard of living than even under the Nazis. Had the mass exodus from East Germany been permitted the entire communist bloc would have collapsed. The same held true for Britain, british workers were esteemed and could easily start a new life elsewhere, hence the efforts made to prevent british workers from leaving.

Humans are viewed as property of the state in every country on this planet. In some parts of the world they are offered a more grandiose illusion of freedom, other parts are more honest about their population's status.

Migration between countries and sometimes even within a country from one territory to another is only permitted under controlled circumstances and nowadays largely discouraged. New mechanisms have been put in place to prevent mass migrations beginning with the passport system that was established in the early 20th century. Today there is no need to build a fence around a country like East Germany was forced to do in its time. Consider: Even today life is better in California than in Denmark for an able and intelligent person with valuable job skills. However very few of these people can leave Denmark for a better life in the United States. This is not because Denmark refuses to allow these people to leave the country, but because in today's world migration is controlled by the receiving country. Only very few receive a "Green Card". This new system allows countries to keep valuable populations confined in their borders while deflecting outrage and hostility from the populations so restrained.

Answer 3

Britain made it illegal for factory workers to leave the country during the Industrial Revolution to prevent skilled workers from leaving and sharing their knowledge with other countries, which could weaken Britain's industrial advantage. This was also a way to control the movement of labor and ensure a stable workforce to meet the growing demands of industrial production.