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Transformation of Labor and Social Relations

Driving Question: How did nineteenth-century changes in work, life, and learning shape the world we live in today?

As machines took over, people’s roles shifted at home, at work, and in society. Explore how industrialization opened doors for some and closed them for others—and forced new questions about fairness and freedom.

Learning Objectives

  1. Explain how industrialization transformed society in the nineteenth century.
  2. Evaluate how networks of activists changed labor, government, family, and community relationships.
  3. Practice close-reading skills to analyze social reforms during the Industrial Revolution.

Vocab Terms:

  • abolition
  • activist
  • economic system
  • gender
  • proletariat
  • reform
  • suffrage
  • wage labor
STEP 1

Opener: Transformation of Labor and Social Relations

In this lesson, you’ll explore how life and labor changed in the 1800s. This activity offers a glimpse into those changes—use it to start predicting what’s to come.

STEP 2

Looking Ahead

STEP 3

Transformation of Labor and Social Relations

Today, work, school, and social roles shape our daily lives. The following video and article will help you understand how these patterns began in the 1800s.

Unit 4 Overview External link

This video explores how industrialization in the 1800s sparked reform movements that still shape our world today.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 4

Framing Unit 4

Understanding big transformations in history means seeing patterns. This video and activity will help us make sense of key changes and events in the 1800s by connecting them to the three course frames.

Frames in Unit 4 External link

Reform movements in the 1800s grew through global networks, but the changes they brought did not benefit all people equally.

Key Ideas

As this video progresses, key ideas will be introduced to invoke discussion.
STEP 5

Closer: Transformation of Labor and Social Relations

The reforms you’ve learned about in this lesson transformed life for millions of people. This quick activity will help you consider some specific ways they continue to influence your world today.

Extension Materials
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Use this post-writing activity to evaluate analysis and evidence in an essay—either your own or a student sample.
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Essay Review: Analysis and Evidence

A great way to improve your own writing skills is to evaluate writing samples. In this activity, you’ll use your own writing or a sample essay to evaluate the use of analysis and evidence.