martes, 24 de enero de 2017

4º British DEBATE: Legislation and Industrial Revolution



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:

Female workers (with data and graphics)
Industrial Revolution Child (Speeches, testimonies and Acts)
Factory Acts (from 1802 to 1961)
Utopian Socialism. Key points (in Spanish)

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!

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