Case Study 1: Britain and the Building of a Global Empire (Part 1)

Artifact #1 ~ #8

Artifact 1: Primary Source - Child Labor in Cotton Factories

Child Labor in Cotton Factories, 1807

The creator of this website, "A Web of English History", is Marjie Bloy. She was a teacher in 1968 at Ainwick College of education. The author of this story is Robert Southey. These are letters from English, which was created in 1807, and the last modified was in April 13, 2010. People who are publishing it are people who know about this story. This has a connection with the author because what he wrote was similar to this article.

This document exists because the author created this piece of work to show the life in the early life, and also it also tell us how poor the children in the past. He wrote this document in first person, which feels like he is the one who is telling the story to the people who didn’t know how life was in the 19^th century. The document says that children need to work from 6 A.M., which is very early, to night. Girls that work were employed until they get married. People thought it was not good for the children that only work, so they sent them to schools an hour after they work.

From this article, it shows that he felt pathetic for these children, although he could not do anything to help these children. Because in that time of period, adults usually give children orders to work for them. This article was written in the circumstance of child labor. And from this information, we can tell that this article was written in the 19^th century. The controversy in this article is that some people think schools are not important for children, but some disagree. People who disagreed that schools are not important won, so they sent children to schools an hour after they work. The author thought although it was very unjust for the children, but at least they go to schools to learn things other than working.

Reflection

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?

        This article is related to the Human Health because it tells us about how labors, especially children labors were in the 1800s. 

b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?

     It also relate to the Building the Modern Economy because child labors were cheaper. 

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?

     The teacher chose this artifact and I spent about 2 hours on it.

3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?

          I learned about the life of children, women, and men in that time. I also learned about how people were treated in that time. 

4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?

     I did an idea page with notes on it.

5. Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:
     a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio
     I would rate it as 3.
     b) Impact on your level of happiness / enjoyment
     I would rate it as 0. 
     c) Impact on your learning
     I would rate it as 5.
     d) Level of creativity and originality

     I would rate it as 0 because this artifact does not include any creativity. 

6. Any additional comments.

    No.

Artifact 2: Idea Page

Reflection

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?

     It is related to Building the Modern Economy.

  b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?

     Urbanization: Construction of the Modern City.

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?

     The teacher chose this artifact, and i spent about 10 minutes uploading my picture. 

3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?

     Idea pages can let us jot down plenty of information, including vocabularies we don't know, or the summary of the idea page. 

4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?

     Yes this reflect my best work because taking notes are important for me. I can review well if i take good notes. 

5. Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:

     a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio

     I would rate it as 5.

     b) Impact on your level of happiness / enjoyment

     I would rate it as 5 because i enjoy taking notes. :D 

     c) Impact on your learning

     I would rate it as 5 because i learn a lot of things when i take notes.

     d) Level of creativity and originality

     I would rate it as 0.  

6. Any additional comments.

     I like taking note!!  xD

Artifact 3: Headline News Report

The Luddites Might Attack in These Days (June 27th, 1801)

There were no attacks from the Luddites in these few weeks. These days people were hiding from the  Luddites. Soldiers were ready to fight with the Luddites by preparing new

weapons and ships. Some citizens were finding places to hide. There were approximately 400 machines were

destroyed by the Luddites now, and there might be more. People and citizens should prepare foods, and places to hide during these days, because they might start their fight.

Reflection

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?

     Nationalism and Liberalism: Creation of the Nation-state 

  b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?

     Class Consiousness

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?

     I chose to write about this because the Luddites also need to rest, and during these time, they might be preparing their weapons to get stronger to destroy more machines. I spent about 45 minutes on this artifact. 

3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?

     I learned that there were actually people who disagree working all day long. Also, the power of the Luddites scared me because i cannot believe people who disagree to work have so much power. 

4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?

     I think I did pretty good because I imagined i were in that situation when i was writing this news report. I felt like I was one of the citizens. 

5. Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:

     a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio

     I would rate it as 4.

     b) Impact on your level of happiness / enjoyment

     I would rate it as 3. 

     c) Impact on your learning

     I would rate it as 5.

     d) Level of creativity and originality

     I would rate it as 3.

6. Any additional comments.

     I would be part of the Luddites if i can. xD

Artifact 4: Important Women in Britain

Queen Victoria

Queen Victoria was with the first Prime Minister, Whig Lord Melbourne. The feelings for Melbourne were to love him like a father, although she does not know Melbourne and her may have been sexual. She forgave him if he fell asleep and snored loudly after dinner. She even listened to him when he was explaining the political problems to her, although it was his job to educate Queen Victoria, a naïve girl. Victoria died because of the cancer of liver, and because of that, her popularity began to fade away. 

Since she listened to Melbourne when he was telling her things about politics, she understood a lot of things in politics. Britain changed a lot because of her. Science, economic, politics, and even more improved a lot. In the 1900s, women started to vote, and it was some years after she ruled Britain. 

This is when she was old:

Reflection

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?

     Gender Roles and the Liberation of Women

  b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?

     Class Conciousness 

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?

     The teacher chose this artifact, but i chose Queen Victoria. I spent 1 hour on this artifact. 

3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?

     I learned that women did not have a lot of freedom in that time. 

4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?

     I think I did so-so because women were not as free as men in the past, so there were only few information about it. 

5. Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:

     a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio

     I would rate it as 4.

     b) Impact on your level of happiness / enjoyment

     I would rate it as 0. 

     c) Impact on your learning

     I would rate it as 2.

     d) Level of creativity and originality

     I would rate it as 0.

6. Any additional comments.

     Women are now as equal as men (at least in Taiwan)!!!!  =DDDD

ARTIFACT 5: GOOGLE EARTH TOUR

Some countries that were colonized by Britain:

• United States of America
• Canada
• Australia
• New Zealand
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• India
• South Africa

Reflection

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?

     The Universe through a Microscope.

  b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?

     Human Movement and Migration

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?

     I chose to do this topic because i want to know how power Britain was in that time. I spent about 1 and a half hour thinking about this topic and recording the video. 

3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?

     I learned that there are many countries that were colonized my Britain. 

4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?

     I think i did pretty good because the people in these countries that were colonized by Britain speak English. For example: one of the mother tongue in Malaysia is English, which is as same as Singapore. 

5. Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:

     a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio

     I would rate it as 5.

     b) Impact on your level of happiness / enjoyment

     I would rate it as 5. 

     c) Impact on your learning

     I would rate it as 5.

     d) Level of creativity and originality

     I would rate it as 5.

6. Any additional comments.

     Nope.

Artifact 6: Original student artwork, poem, music piece, or short story

CHILD LABOR

Reflection

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?

     Human Expression through the Arts.

  b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?

     Class Consciousness. 

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?

     I chose to draw this because I think forcing children to work for adults are very unfair. Children should go to school and learn more stuff to create things in the future and not work in the factories for the whole day. I spent about 10 minutes on this artifact. 

3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?

     I learned that how mean and cruel the adults were in the past, and how children lived in the 19th century. 

4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?

     I think I did pretty good because I like to turn my notes into a picture. It helps me remember the event.

5. Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:

     a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio

     I would rate it as 5.

     b) Impact on your level of happiness / enjoyment

     I would rate it as 5 because i enjoy drawing this picture. 

     c) Impact on your learning

     I would rate it as 5. 

     d) Level of creativity and originality

     I would rate it as 4.  :D  

6. Any additional comments.
     I love it :D

Artifact 7: Influential artwork, poem, music piece, or short story

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens was born in February 7th, 1812, and died in June 9th, 1870. He was the most British novelist in Victorian era. His ironic characters in his literature were popular. His first three years was in Portsmouth, Hampshire, but his family moved to London in 1815. Although he usually play with his friends, he still read a lot of books. 

Before he started to write a story, he planned how he wanted the story and the characters to be. He did this is because he describe his characters with many details. Characters in his stories are often some people he knows. His poems and stories are basically fantasy and realism. 

These are his famous poems:

• A Child's Hymn
• Lucy's Song
• Squire Norton's Song
• The Ivy Green
• The Song of the Wreck

Lucy's Song

How beautiful at eventide
To see the twilight shadows pale,
Steal o'er the landscape, far and wide,
O'er stream and meadow, mound and dale!

How soft is Nature's calm repose
When ev'ning skies their cool dews weep:
The gentlest wind more gently blows,
As if to soothe her in her sleep!

The gay morn breaks,
Mists roll away,
All Nature awakes
To glorious day.
In my breast alone
Dark shadows remain;
The peace it has known
It can never regain.

A Child's Hymn

Hear my prayer, O heavenly Father,
Ere I lay me down to sleep;
Bid Thy angels, pure and holy,
Round my bed their vigil keep.

My sins are heavy, but Thy mercy
Far outweighs them, every one;
Down before Thy cross I cast them,
Trusting in Thy help alone.

Keep me through this night of peril
Underneath its boundless shade;
Take me to Thy rest, I pray Thee,
When my pilgrimage is made.

None shall measure out Thy patience
By the span of human thought;
None shall bound the tender mercies
Which Thy Holy Son has bought.

Pardon all my past transgressions,
Give me strength for days to come;
Guide and guard me with Thy blessing
Till Thy angels bid me home.

Squire Norton's Song

The child and the old man sat alone

In the quiet, peaceful shade

Of the old green boughs, that had richly grown

In the deep, thick forest glade.

It was a soft and pleasant sound,

That rustling of the oak;

And the gentle breeze played lightly round

As thus the fair boy spoke:--

Dear father, what can honor be,

Of which I hear men rave?

Field, cell and cloister, land and sea,

The tempest and the grave:--

It lives in all, 'tis sought in each,

'Tis never heard or seen:

Now tell me, father, I beseech,

What can this honor mean?

It is a name -- a name, my child --

It lived in other days,

When men were rude, their passions wild,

Their sport, thick battle-frays.

When, in armor bright, the warrior bold

Knelt to his lady's eyes:

Beneath the abbey pavement old

That warrior's dust now lies.

The iron hearts of that old day

Have mouldered in the grave;

And chivalry has passed away,

With knights so true and brave;

The honor, which to them was life,

Throbs in no bosom now;

It only gilds the gambler's strife,

Or decks the worthless vow.

Reflection

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?

     Invention, Ingenuity and Entrepreneur 

  b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?

     Human express through the art

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?

     I chose this author because I like his poem, Lucy's Song. I spent 1 hour doing this artifact. 

3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?

     I found out that the characters in his works were people he knew in his life, and they were ironic.

4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?

     I think I did pretty good because i learned many things about Charles Dickens. 

5. Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:

     a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio
     I would rate it as 4.
     b) Impact on your level of happiness / enjoyment
     I would rate it as 1. 
     c) Impact on your learning
     I would rate it as 3.
     d) Level of creativity and originality

     I would rate it as 2 because I learned some poems from this author.

6. Any additional comments.

     His poems are great! :D

Artifact 8: Student's free choice



This is a simulation.


★You need more than 3 people to do this simulation

☆After you found someone, then let's get started! =D

1. In your group, find 1 person to be an adult, and the others be children.
2. Children must listen to whatever the adult says.
3. The adult can tell the children to do anything you want (but should be appropriate). 
4. If any children rest or get lazy when the adult tells them to do things, then they need to do 50 push ups. 

This simulation shows about the child labor in the 19th century. 

Reflection

1. a) Which main topic does the artifact relate to? In what ways?

     This simulation is related to child labor.

  b) Which other main topics does it also relate to?

     It also related to the freedom of children during that period.

2. Why did you choose this artifact, and how much time did you spend creating and/or processing it?

     I chose to do this because all of my classmates, including me, are not adults yet. We can easily understand the feelings of children who worked in the 19th century. I spent about 20 minutes thinking about this simulation.

3. What insights and understanding have you gained from the creation and/or processing of this artifact?

     I learned these things from artifact 6, which is a boy carrying a metal with googol tons. 

4. Does this artifact reflect your best work and/or ideas? Why, or why not?

     Yes, because I like games and simulations. I helps me learn. If I create a simulation, i can also learn things too! :D

5. Rate this artifact on a scale of -5 to 5(0 is neutral) for the following 4 criterion:

     a) Impact on the quality of your Portfolio
     I would rate it as 5.
     b) Impact on your level of happiness / enjoyment
     I would rate it as 5. 
     c) Impact on your learning
     I would rate it as 5.
     d) Level of creativity and originality

     I would rate it as 5 because by using a simulation to learn is creative. :D

6. Any additional comments.

     Feel the pain of child labor!!!  >:D