What legislation was passed by most northern state legislatures in the 1840s and 1850s aimed at regulating work conditions?

The legislation that most northern state legislatures passed in the 1840s and 1850s aimed at establishing a ten-hour workday. This movement emerged as part of a broader labor reform effort addressing the harsh conditions faced by workers during the Industrial Revolution. As factories proliferated, working hours often extended well beyond what was considered reasonable, leading to health issues and diminished quality of life for laborers.

Labor activists and reformers advocated for a ten-hour day, believing it would promote a healthier work-life balance while also encouraging more humane treatment of workers. This legislative initiative resonated with the growing sentiment for workers' rights during this period and marked a significant shift in public policy regarding labor.

While eight-hour workday proposals were part of labor discussions, they gained more traction later in the 19th century. Mandatory break hours and minimum wage laws are more modern concepts, not applicable to the context of the 1840s and 1850s. Thus, the ten-hour workday is the correct focus for understanding the labor regulation efforts in northern states during this era.