Writing Question

Please address the following in a 3-4 page essay (typed, double-spaced) using The Testimony Gathered by Ashley’s Mines Commission (1842) and Punch Magazine, “Capital and Labour” (1843) found on pp. 157-160 in Sources of the Making of the West (which I have uploaded for you at the bottom of the page). Also use pp. 557 in your textbook, the Making of the West.

The industrial revolution brought about great changes to European society, and the introduction of steam-driven machinery increased the demand for coal. The Testimony Gathered by Ashley’s Mines Commission (1842) and Punch Magazine, “Capital and Labour” (1843), (pp. 157-160), Sources of the Making of the West), help us better understand the working conditions of the mine workers in the mid-nineteenth century, and how their lives were in sharp contrast to the capitalists who owned the mines.

Based upon the above primary reading and cartoon, answer all of the following questions in your essay:

Clarify the historical context (author and audience, date, central issue) of both the written source and cartoon.
How does the top portion of the cartoon portray the lifestyle of British capitalist? What images stand out in particular?
How does this portrait contrast to that of the people shown in the bottom portion? What connections do you see between the images here and the testimony gathered by Ashley’s Mines Commission?
Describe what the working conditions were like for the women and girls who worked in the mines.
Explain what the commissioners from Lord Ashley’s Mines Commission of 1842 seemed interested in and why.
What labor laws were passed as a result of the Commission’s report.

Below is a link to a sample paper and guide on how to write footnotes and a bibliography in Chicago Style.

Link (Links to an external site.)

Below you can find a copy of the primary source that you need to read to do the essay:

Testimony Given by Sir Ashley’s Mines Commission.pdf Download Testimony Given by Sir Ashley’s Mines Commission.pdfPreview the document

History 2-Primary Source Rubric.docx Download History 2-Primary Source Rubric.docxPreview the document