CHICAGO METRO HISTORY FAIR

2015 SUMMARY STATEMENT

Attach an annotated bibliography (AB) that is divided between primary and secondary sources.
Submit two copies of the SS and AB at the competition. Please type.

Student name(s) _____________________________________________________________

Denny Chen
___________________________________________________________________________
Title _The National Child Labor Committee and Lewis W. Hine_________________________
Check if applicable (and respond to Question 3):

This project uses the 2015 National History Day theme, Leadership & Legacy in [Chicago/Illinois] History
Project Category:

Exhibit

Website

Student Composed
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Student Composed
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Paper
Total Word-Count

Documentary Performance
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Time:

(excluding citations):

1. THESIS STATEMENT
Present the projects argument or interpretation in two sentences. If you are using the NHD theme, you might want to
make it evident in your thesis statement.

The hiring of Lewis Hine, a photographer, into the National Child Labor Committee played a vital role in
raising awareness to child labor in the country. Without Lewis Hine child labor standards wouldnt be what
they are today. Lewis Hines work left a legacy of simple pictures that reminds people today the importance of
education to children improvement to working conditions.

2. SUMMARY OF PROJECT
Briefly explain your project and its conclusion. Include: How and why did change happen and what was the impact?
Why is it historically significant? What historical meaning or importance can we learn from your findings?

Due to the fact that many children were working, society finally realized the importance of
education, therefore groups such as the National Child Labor Committee advocated for education in
the United States. Hines pictures may not have been supported by everyone, but looking back at it
today, it clearly gives everyone the idea of how inhumane industrialization was. Through his use of
photography Hine was able to influence the public about the hazardous conditions of child labor,
and the need for change. After many years, the NCLC created and expanded to KAPOW partnering
with elementary schools to educate children about world labor. This is important because without
these photographs from Lewis, the society wont realize the suffering of child labor.

3. Required for projects using the National History Day theme only.
Explain how this project integrates the NHD theme Leadership & Legacy in [Chicago/Illinois] History into its argument.

This project integrates the NHD theme because Lewis Hine was a leader who helped took pictures
to show society what child labor really was. Without these pictures many people would still
demand children to work in the long hours and a dangerous environment, such as a factory. The
legacy of Lewis and the NCLC, more people are able to see the truth of how America was before
and the improvements it has made over time. The National Child Labor Committee today
promotes companies teach children about different labors in the world.
4. PROCESS
A. What historical question did you start off withand how did it change once you began
doing your research?
I first started out with the question how did child labor affect the nation in the 1900s? My
question developed, as I began to do more research, into who was responsible for change
and bringing awareness in child labor laws and standards. This question also fitted the
NHD theme, as it focused around a group or person that was a leader in the movement
and the legacy it left behind.

B. What kinds of sources did you use as evidence to develop your argument (for example,
letters, photographs, government documents, interviews, etc.)?
I used many pictures on child labor and websites, secondary sources, that had a lot of
information on child labor and Lewis. I used books written by Lewis Hine, primary source,
about child labor to research my topic. Also I went on educational and factual websites to
gain my information on Lewis and his contributions to the world.
C. Select one piece of evidence that you used and explain how it influenced your argument.
One piece of evidence I used was Lewis studied sociology in New York and Chicago and
was employed by the Ethical Culture School. While working for the Ethical Culture School
Lewis Hine bought his first camera to use photography in teaching students. It influenced my
argument because it shows Lewis dedication in pictures that he was willing to teach students
his ways of photography. It also shows how he wanted to use photography to change the
lives of people world to see the truth of growing problems in the world

D. List libraries (other than school), museums, and other institutions that you visited to do
your research.
I went to the Harold Washington Library and Daley Library to gain my research.