19thCenturyLifeJM09

Pick two topics that you will research. Find four things from the 19th Century about each topic. Find a primary source example for each. Compare and contrast them with the 21st Century Come to a conclusion on whether life was better in the 19th Century or the 21st Century __Topic 1: School__

** Example 1: Subjects ** Reading, writing and arithmetic, geography, history, and English composition

//Pri Source evidence:// They learned the basics of reading, writing and arithmetic, and sometimes went on to geography, history, and English composition **    Example 2: Schoolhouses     ** Attended one room schools; walking distance

//Pri source evidence:// Most of them attended one-room district schools within walking distance of their homes. ** Example 3: Attendance  ** They attended school in the winter months.

//Pri Source evidence:// School was held for ten or twelve weeks in the winter months, usually beginning after Thanksgiving. For young children, whose work was not needed at home, there was also an eight-week term in the summer. Some children went to school nearly every day it was in session; others attended only when their parents did not need them at home.

Teachers were able to whip their students
 * Example 4: Teachers**

//Pri source evidence:// The master now took the rattan in his right hand, and the criminal by the collar with his left, his large knuckles pressing hard against the shoulder of the boy. He raised the stick high over the shrinking back. Then, oh! what a screech! Had the rod fallen? No, it still remained suspended in the air. “O—I won’t do so agin—I’ll //never// do so agin—O—O—don’t—I will be good—sartinly will.” The threatening instrument of pain was gently taken from its elevation. The master spoke: “You promise, do you?” “Yis, sir,—oh! yis, sir.” The tight grasp was withdrawn from the collar.

I do not think either life is better, however I feel life is easier in the 21st century. When it comes to schooling, we have a wider variety of clases to learn. We not only expand on the basic subjects, but we gain knowledge on exrta classes that could help us in everyday life. We have bigger schools with more classrooms and teachers to help us learn better. We go to school for a longer period of time, giving us more time to gain more knowledge. And our teachers are not allowed to whip us, which pretty much explains itself in why thats a good thng. So overall, we get more knowledge out of school, therefore making us wiser people, hence the 21st century being better.
 * Conclusion**

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__Topic 2: Work for Women__
Cows milked, fires built, breakfast made
 * Example 1: Before Breakfast **

//Pri Source evidence:// rose in the early dawn, and, taking the well-scoured wooden pails from the bench by the back door, repaired to the cow yard behind the barn. We owned six cows; my grandmother four. Having milked the ten cows, the milk was strained, the fires built, and breakfast prepared. Many families had milk for this meal, but we always had coffee or chocolate, with meat and potatoes.

**Example 2: During Breakfast** Milk was warmed, dishes washed

//Pri source evidence:// During breakfast the milk for the cheese was warming over the fire, in the large brass kettle…The curd having been broken into the basket, the dishes were washed, and unless there was washing or other extra work, the house was righted. By the time this was done the curd* was ready for the [cheese] press.

**Example 3: Preparation for Dinner** Dinner was served at 12 o'clock, had boiled salted meat and vegetables or a custard or pudding

//Pri Source evidence:// Next came preparations for dinner, which was on the table punctually at twelve o’clock. In the hot weather we usually had boiled salted meat and vegetables, and, if it was baking day, a custard or pudding. If there was linen whitening* on the grass, as was usual at this season, that must be sprinkled*.

**Example 4: After Dinner** Cheeses were turned and rubbed, women sewed, tea was served, linen taken in, other chores done, went to bed

//Pri source evidence:// After dinner the cheeses were turned and rubbed; then mother put me on a clean frock*, and dressed herself for the afternoon. In the sultry August afternoons mother and Aunt Sarah usually took their sewing to the cool back room, whose shaded door and windows overlooked the freshly-mown field, dotted by apple trees…At five o’clock the men came from the field, and tea was served. The tea things washed, the vegetables were gathered for the morrow, the linen taken in, and other chores done. At sunset the cows came from the pasture. Milking finished and the milk strained, the day’s labor was ended. The last load pitched on the hay mow…my father and the hired man joined us in the cool back room, where bowls of bread and milk were ready for those who wished the refreshment. At nine o’clock the house was still, the tired hands gladly resting from the day’s toil.

I cannot conclude that life was better in either century, however, once again I can say life is easier in the 21st. Back in the 19th century, women had to wake up at the crack of dawn to begin with the day's work. They milked cows, prepared breakfast, started fires, warmed milk, and washed dishes all at around breakfast time. Then, they had to prepare dinner, or lunch as we call it, which could take the rest of the day. After dinner, they couldn't relax as we do now. They had to turn and rub cheese, sew, serve tea, take the lined in, and much more. In the 21st century, we don't have as nearly as many chores as they did. Although we do not have as much work to do, I cannot say life is better now, because they feel rewarded after working hard, which is something that is occuring less and less these days. They accomplish much and work hard for what they have. And that, in itself, can be the best thing.
 * Conclusion**