Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, New York City, March 25,1911

 
Pre-Tour Activity:  Prior to taking this tour students should review information about conditions for workers during the
                              rise of industry and big business in America from 1860-1900.  Have students brainstorm about the
                             problems and conditions faced by workers during this time.  Have students prioritize these problems 
                             and conditions from most to least serious.  Then begin the tour.

 
Objective:  Students can read original news stories, photographs, cartoons and secondary source materials about the
                 Triangle Shirtwaist Fire Disaster.
Procedures: Read the news stories about the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire by clicking on the links below. Complete the 
                   worksheets for each story.  Then examine the photographs and cartoons and complete the worksheets for
                   each. Worksheets are either labeled separately or hot linked next to the photograph or cartoon.  NOTE
                   TO  TEACHERS:  You can modify these procedures because of time constraints.  Students can
                   work in cooperative groups to complete sections and then compare/share work with the rest of the class.
                   Worksheets may be printed out by students with your permission, or by you before class, or you can have 
                   students record information in their own notebook.
New York Times Story
           Worksheet New York Times Story
Survivor Stories-New York Times
            Worksheet Survivor Stories New York Times
Firefighters Fighting Triangle Shirtwaist Fire, March 25, 1911
Factory Floor, showing workstations and benches.
Offices of Triangle Shirtwaist  Company,
Tenth Floor of building
Examining bodies for signs of life and effects
Political cartoon in aftermath of the fire.
Political cartoon in aftermath of fire
Post-Tour Activities:  Pick one of the following activities and complete it:

1.  Write an editorial column for your local paper about this incident.  Be sure to include at least three historical facts about
      the incident and a call for action by someone or some government or private sector group or organization.

2.  Draw your own political cartoon depicting this incident.  Make sure that the cartoon is related to the incident 
     and includes some historical allusions to the incident.

3.  Develop a set of standards for health, working conditions and safety that would eliminate the causes of this incident.   Be 
     very specific in your standards and address the problems which created this disaster.

 
 
 
This tour prepared by James Schmidt, Social Studies teacher at Allegany County Center for Career and Technical Education
Cresaptown, Maryland 21532.  E-mail jschmidt1@mindspring.com for comments, criticisms or information.

 
 

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