Students will study labor history through viewing a series of ten short videotapes on key events between the Gold Rush and the present day. They will deepen their understanding of labor's contribution to the political, cultural and economic development of the state through linked readings and classroom activities such as role plays, simulations, debates, small group discussions, and writing. Homework assignments will include taking oral histories about work from family members, neighbors, and friends, and keeping a journal about the student's own work experiences. Each video-based lesson is flexible and may be used on a stand alone basis, or in conjunction with the others. They should prove useful in eleventh grade U.S. History and in twelfth grade Government and Economics classes; or in college classes focusing on California history. Specifically, the audience of Golden Lands, Working Hands will learn that:

1. Unionism is a tool developed by working people to achieve the economic goal of material welfare and the social goal of full citizenship; like any tool it may be used wisely, poorly, or not at all.
2. Working people generally do well when they are able to unite with one another across the boundaries of occupation, race, language, religion, ethnic background and gender, and generally do poorly when they are unable to find common ground.
3. History is not inevitable or outside the control of working people; it is the result of choices made (or not made) and carried out (or not carried out) by individuals and groups of individuals.
4. Workers' historical achievements are not guaranteed forever, but represent ongoing battles, and must be defended time and again to endure.

 

California labor history:  Golden Lands, Working Hands

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Learning Objectives

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