In This Lesson:

In what ways are the economic conditions in the country repeated in Deerfield and the Connecticut River Valley?

Class Period 1: National Economic Growth

• In groups, discuss conditions that must exist in order for an industry to thrive.
• As these groups report their ideas, develop a master list on newsprint.
• Invite students to research the national growth of industry, 1880-1920, and then write a short general informational report (listing sources) to include the following:

- Capitalists
- Types of Industries
- Related Social/Environmental/Health issues
- The Rise of Unions.

Class Period 2: Connecticut Valley Economic Growth

• Hold a conversation with the class about what they learned from their research on national industry.
• Set up learning stations. Invite students to rotate through at least two stations. They should take notes and be prepared to answer the following questions:

- Describe the industries that dominated in the Connecticut River Valley during this time.
- Describe the workers that each industry employed.
- What raw materials were needed for factory production? How were they obtained?
- Who sold the finished product?
- Did the railroads factor in to their distribution?
- Can you find the value of the produced goods over time?
- What happened to the concept of agriculture as the basis for an economy?

• Select from one of the following choices to further investigate. The research will culminate in an article to be added to the newspaper.

Research a labor issue that could arise in any industry.
- Cite the cause, the reform needed and the action taken by the workers.
- Describe the community's reaction to the labor unrest.
Research the factory workers' experiences.
- Compare the life of a worker in Turners Falls with that of one in Boston.
- Write an advertisement for a position in each factory. Include a picture of the factory and tell of the working hours and conditions.

For Class Period 1:

World's Fair – Chicago 1893 (L02.134)

Shirtwaist Factory Fire Website

Kings' Handbook of the United States (L02.133)

For Class Period 2:

Picturesque Hampshire (L02.135)

Picturesque Franklin (L98.056)

Labor Issues - Child Labor Article (L01.060)

Women and Work (L01.120)

For Learning Stations:

Massachusetts Growth of Industry (Statistics): Eastern MA and Western MA (L02.054, L02.055, L02.056, L02.057.)

Connecticut Valley Industry: Russell Cutlery (1991.28.02, 1987.07, 1997.31.23)

Deerfield: Arms Manufacturing Company (1996.12.0044, 1996.12.0046, 1999.03.0023), Pocketbooks (1986.12b, 1986.25.01)

Edward Swan's Pickle factory, South Deerfield (1996.37.01.062), Greenough Horseradish Pickling, Deerfield (1991.06a-b)

Agriculture: Tobacco (1997.08.01.0021, 1990.023, 1997.08.01.0087)

Newspaper Advertisements: Greenfield Gazette and Courier (L02.159, L02.164)