Social issue / 7.4.1. Child Labour

• History
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 2

AGE 8. The Time of Citizens and Steam Engines

The Social Issue and child labour

TODAY

1. Flashback: The Social Issue / Liberals/ Socialists
2. Child Labour

What was the Social issue about?

• "Social" comes from the Latin word "socius", which means  "fellow man" (medemens).
• "social" is therefore always about people.
• An "issue" is a problem that needs to be solved.

• Thus: 
• The Social Issue in the 19th century refers to the growing problem of the terrible working- and living conditions of factory workers in the cities.

The Social Issue

What social group did the wealthy
factory owners belong to?

1. aristocracy
2. clergy
3. bourgeoisie
4. scientists

Liberals?

Liberals

The rich citizens (bourgeoisie) are happy with their lives and see no need to change their ways.  They're called liberals and belong to the political movement called liberalism. The liberals don't want the government to make laws about how long people are allowed to work for or how much they should earn.

Socialists?

AGE 8. The Time of Citizens and Steam Engines

6.2 The Social Issue

SOCIALISM = a political movement that campaigns for equality between rich and poor people in society.

What do socialists want?

• improve the lives of the poor working people.
  
• How? 
  
• They believe that the government should interfere in the economy, make (social) laws.
  
• They campaign for expanding voting rights so poor people can vote as well.
  
• They help workers organise and set up Trade Unions
  
• Some even argue that a REVOLUTION is the only way to change things
  

AGE 8. The Time of Citizens and Steam Engines

6.2 The Social Issue

Trade Unions  (vakbonden)

• Workers organised themselves in trade unions.
• Only if they protested together they could force their employers to make changes (improve working conditions)
• Their fiercest weapon was STRIKE (staking).
• Trade Unions fought for social laws (sociale wetten), like 
•       minimum wages
•       8 hour working days 
•       unemployment benefits
•       an old age pension
•       ban on child labour

AGE 8. The Time of Citizens and Steam Engines

6.2 The Social Issue

Trade Unions today

Child Labour?

Why did children have to work in factories?

Read 7.4.1

Do exc. 1-2-3