8.2 The Social Issue -TEACH-

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

AGE 8. The Time of Citizens and Steam Engines

8.2 The Social Issue

Can you think of words
that include the term " social "?

so, "social" is always about:

1. money
2. people
3. technology
4. politics

TODAY

1. What was The Social Issue?
2. What is socialism?

What social group did the wealthy
factory owners belong to?

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

• "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.

Lesson 8.2  The Social Issue

Karl Marx

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