Socratic Seminar Discussion

In Tuesday's class we had a discussion about Child Labor. One of the main questions was, would you buy products made with child labor?

One key point I brought to the discussion was, before we researched I didn't really know that child labor existed. I also said how I thought the conditions they worked in were surprising. For example, while they were working on the fields, pesticides were being sprayed which can be very bad for they health. Another thing I said during the discussion was, I think that mostly the children should decide whether or not they should work. They should obviously discuss it with their parents. But, I think it is mainly their decision whether they work or not.

One key point brought up by another student that I found influential or important is, they would buy products made with child labor because there really isn't a good way to tell whether or not it was made with child labor. Another key point brought up by a student is they would want to buy products made with child labor because the reason why the children are working is to earn money and they can't earn money unless people buy their products. the last key point that I found interesting from a student was, they wouldn't buy products made from child labor because they don't like the conditions that the children work in and they think it is wrong.

I think our group did well on many things. One thing we did well on was speaking loudly. Another thing we did well on was, communicating with each other and responding to each other. One thing we can improve on is, making sure everyone gets to speak. Another thing we can improve on is, getting rid of the awkward pauses.

Industrial Revolution Statistics Graph and Explanatory paragraph

For this assignment we had to create a graph to the data we received with a partner. We then typed an explanatory paragraph below explaining the graph and an "I see... It means...".

In 1834 the slave population was on the rise and due to this rise the cotton bale production grew due to the higher demand. From 1834-1858 the slave population nearly doubled. This resulted in the cotton bale production doubling. The more slaves there were the more cotton was produced.

Industrial City Inspector's Report, Manchester England, 1842

In History class we were assigned to pretend to be a city inspector in the 1840's. With the documents we took notes from we found out information about how the working conditions and living conditions were in the Industrial Revolution.

This report dated November 6, 1842 had been provided for the urban planning committees of various cities in England. My name is Shayla Flannery, and as a mid-level city inspector I trust that you will use this information within to determine appropriate needs in urban planning municipalities. My report has been through as I have made use of all the sources available to me and have worked to guide you through my own analysis and critical thinking to a full description of the issues facing our cities

People say that mills are like palaces (Doc. B). Everyone is happy and there is no smoke (Doc. E) There is great care in  the factories and accidents are very rare (Doc. E). I have also heard that safety precautions are taken, like putting sharp machinery in boxes (Doc. E). The factory rooms are also well vented, clean and very spacious. Workers can rest 1 minute out of every 3 minutes (Doc. E).  The smoke doesn't bother that many people, but at least it gives people jobs. (Doc. E).

I however have observed that all these machines are polluting the earth with all the smoke they are putting off. There is even purple and black water in the canals! All the jobs are monotonous and people are always doing the same thing. People describe it as hell. Working all day in black rooms like dungeons (Doc. C). People constantly coughing from the choking air filled with dust and smoke (Doc. C). Workers groaning from pain and being overworked. Child labor (Doc. C).  Children that already look like they are aging. No safety precautions, machines starting fires (Doc. C). Breathing is difficult and painful (Doc. D). Workers are dehydrated and exhausted (Doc. D). These working conditions are unsanitary and bad for workers health.

I think that Industrialization overall has more of a negative impact on living and working conditions because the factories don’t have any safety precautions which can cause many injuries, the workers are overworked which causes them to have bad health, and all the factories are polluting the earth which is bad for your breathing. I think the information that was most reliable and convincing were documents A, C, and D.

This is an image of men working in a coal mine during the Industrial Revolution.

Wikipedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Industrial_Revolution#Social_structure_and_working_conditions