Presumably, a "sweat shop" is a shop or place of employment where perspiration occurs.

In such a sense, certainly any place where one works hard enough or in a physical enough manner to perspire is a "sweat shop".

The term however is intended to be derogatory, and is meant to convey the impression that factory owners and managers are indifferent to the conditions under which their employees are required to work, or who drive their employees unmercifully without a break.

It is certainly true that many of the factories and mills of the day were not as light and airy as perhaps they could have been or as might have been desired.

Interestingly however, this was not generally a matter of intent on the part of the mill owners and managers. 

On the contrary, it was to the advantage of the mill owners to provide the best possible working conditions, in order to attract and retain the best employees, and to obtain from them their most productive effort.

In point of fact, it was the interference of government that did a great deal to prevent the inclusion of as many windows as might have been desired or otherwise included, both in industrial and residential buildings.

This was because it was believed that each expanse of glass would weaken a building, regardless of the manner or form of construction, and so the number and span of windows was strictly limited by government decree.

In addition, there was a period of time in Britain when, following the example set by the "sun king" of France (King Louis XIV), the window area of each factory or home was subject to a special tax on sunlight  Yes, sunlight!

It was proclaimed that the sunlight belonged to God and that the king, as God's rightful vicar on earth, should be able to tax sunlight on the basis of his divine right.

As a result, most factories - and most residences - were dark, windowless caves.

Of course, not as much was known in those days about adequate light and ventilation as is presently known, so considering the legal restrictions and the degree of knowledge available, most of the factories and mills were remarkably good places to work.

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