Child Labor

Mary Harris Jones, also called Mother Jones, was a well-known union organizer at the turn of the century. In 1903, she led a "March of the Mill Children" from Philadelphia to New York City. The young workers carried placards that read, "We want to go to school," and "We want time to play." As a result of the march,Pennsylvania made child labor illegal.

Why do you think children were sent to work in the first place? How do you think children and families felt when child labor laws were passed? Why might these laws have been viewed as a mixed blessing? What do you think could have been done to make child labor unnecessary? 

The Industrial Age Begins

The late 1800s was a time of invention and advances in technology. These breakthroughs combined with railroad expansion and new   business practices to launch an age of industry. Government policies encouraged growth, and large corporations became an important part of the economy. Meanwhile, poor pay and working conditions led workers to form unions in an attempt to improve their lives.
How does technology change the way people live and work?

Reconstruction

The South was devastated physically, economically, and spiritually after the Civil War. Lincoln's Plan was to bring back rebellious states into the union with as little trouble for them as possible. After Lincoln's death, his successor, Andrew Johnson, wanted to follow to follow Lincoln's plan, however, Radical Republicans wanted to make it much more difficult for states that seceded to rejoin the Union. The Radical Republicans were more powerful than Johnson and had their way. They divided the South into military regions under the command of generals. They also required the states to adopt constitutions that allowed blacks to vote and to accept the 14th amendment, which extended citizenship to blacks.
Based on what you know about Reconstruction, which plan would you choose, the moderate plan like Lincoln or the harsher plan like the Radical Republicans?
Why do you think many northerners wanted to make it difficult for southern states to rejoin the Union?  Support you answer with facts.