Was+life+Better+Now+or+Then?+By+ME!!

EQ: Is life better now or then?

Figure out whether your life is "better" than someone living in the early 19th century using the [|data base] of 19th Century (1900-1899) primary and secondary source documents from Old Sturbridge Village. In class we will discuss what "better" means. Hmmmmm....you must utilize at least two primary and two secondary sources.

General guidelines:

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 Medicine and Health Care in the 1800's =

Mother usually assumed role of nurse and caregiver when one fell ill.
 * Example 1**

[|Home as Hospital: The Sick Chamber in Early America]


 * Example 2**

When one was sick, their room or a room was turned into a "sick chamber" with "easy" chairs and comfortable surrondings, the ill were put near the window for light or near the fire for warmth while they stiched or read. //[|Adressing Illnesses at the 1830's Freeman Farm]//


 * Example 3**

Infant mortality was much higher,(35%) children would die soon after birth because of incurable diseases such as scarlet fever or tuberculosis, nothing could be done for the children.

[|“No Force Can Death Resist”: Reflections on Child and Infant Mortality in American History]


 * Example 4**

People couldn't diagnose diseases as easily or correctly or even bother to figure out what the disease was, so people could die of something serious that could be cured but was thought as a fever and just given some bedrest.

[|Moses Porter, Diary]

Healthcare and General health is better now than then, disease are easily diagnosed now and the infant mortality rate was much lower. People are now treated by doctors instead of family members and given treatment instead of bedrest. People have a better chance of living with advanced medical care instead of just dealing with the disease or having some painful treatment.
 * Conclusion

Topic Number 2

Military, Militia, and Conscription in the 1800's

Example 1 All able bodied males between 18 and 45 were called up to serve, it was the law** "In 1810, the law called out all [males] between eighteen and forty-five. Every town that could furnish sixty men formed a company." -Rev Charles M. Hyde, 1879 [[http://www.osv.org/explore_learn/document_viewer.php?DocID=1153 Example 2 All members of the militia had to train four days out of the year or face the consequences "There is no other equipment used. The fine to appear without a gun is 25 cents; no appearance, 75 cents. The law is to meet two times a year—meet at 9 AM, dismissed at 9 PM." http://www.osv.org/explore_learn/document_viewer.php?DocID=838

Example 3 The militia men who did show up were poorly equipped and trained, those with out muskets used clubs and were fined.

"Most of the independent companies were small. They were not very well uniformed. The equipments were Ri.Mus. [rifles, muskets] and shelalies. Those that had no rifles or muskets armed themselves with clubs. There is no other equipment used. The fine to appear without a gun is 25 cents; no appearance, 75 cents. I saw them try to form a hollow square. I thought that I could drive a flock of sheep in as much order as they marched. There is no firing ordered by the officers, but there is a continual firing in the ranks." http://www.osv.org/explore_learn/document_viewer.php?DocID=838

Example 4 Some people prefered the militia over a national army because it took a peaceful stance http://www.osv.org/explore_learn/document_viewer.php?DocID=979 .