We are
living at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution (around 1840). You
have been asked by one of the recently formed social welfare groups to
investigate the issue of child labor in the mines of northern England.
These mines are an important part of Britain's industrial progress and provides
wealth for the nation, however the conditions in these mines are often
dangerous and unhealthy...
The Government
should take a decission about a possible labour legislation, because of
that they called for a meeting with difference groups and perspectives:
A group of
members of the British Parliament
A group of
businessmen, worried about their benefits
A Trade
Union, representing the workers
You have a two part task:
First,
prepare a small report that tells the Government
what is best for Britain and why (obviously, the idea of what is “best” is
different depending on the group you are in!). Make sure that you justify your
position with evidence. Remember, come to your decision based on facts, not
emotion. You also need to also prepare a list of 2-3 witnesses who
will testify to the Parliament on the nature of working conditions in the mines/factories.
Make sure to have a name, age, occupation, and short description of their point
of view on their list.
Meanwhile, the Government
group should prepared a draft of a
possible labour legislation, with different options, like the Factory Bill
(1802).
When finish, send those reports, send it as an
attached file to blogeducativo08@gmail.com.
You can also print it and bring to class for the debate.
Second:
debate at class! Now you have your
arguments, data and witnesses prepared, you have to defend your point of view
in class, and try to convince the Government (that will be also the moderator) for
legislating in your own side. And the end, the Government group MUST take a
decission and suggest the key points of their new Labour Legislation (giving
arguments of why that decission).
All the members of the group MUST speak (minimun: two
interventions each), giving rational and coherent, well-argumented answers. The
use of appropiate vocabulary and historical backgrounds will be also keep in
mind. You will have the full hour for the debate if needed, so take your time and do your
best!
Resources you can use:
This work is mandatory and will be part of the score
at the end of the term. If you fail to finish it or do it out of date, the mark
will be a 0 for this work.
Go on!
