VELS 5The 8 Hours Procession
VELS 6The 8 Hours Procession
Use these materials with the worksheets on the right, to help students evaluate sources, analyse documents and study a single image in detail. Below the worksheets are printable versions of all materials, which you can use in the classroom.
For more information on evaluating sources see:
See curriculum links
Relevant VELS Level 5 standards include:
The Humanities – History
- analyse significant events and movements which have resulted in improvements in civil and political rights for other groups of Australians, such as the 8-hour day [...] and evaluate the contributions of key participants and leaders in these events.
- critically evaluate sources of evidence for context, information, reliability, completeness, objectivity and bias.
Civics and Citizenship
- explain how citizens influence government policy through participation in political parties, elections and membership of interest groups.
Thinking Processes
- analyse alternative perspectives and perceptions.
- make informed decisions based on their analysis of various perspectives and, sometimes contradictory, information.
For more information see Curriculum Links Level 5 [pdf 40KB]
See background information
The Victorian Operative Mason's Society established a committee to conduct
an investigation into who founded the 8-hour working day. The committee talked
to pioneers of the movement and looked at documentary evidence from the time to
establish what ‘really happened'.
For
additional information, see:
Origins of the 8-hour day
Winning the 8-hour day
James Stephens
Trade Union banner
Creator
Australasian Sketcher
Date created
14 June 1873
Important to note
The
888 symbol communicates the main message of the 8-hour movement – that 8 hours rest, recreation and labour would lead to improved living
conditions for the working class. Before 1856, tradesmen worked 14–15 hours a
day, 6 days a week, and had no time to spend with their families, socialise or
further their education.
Banner for Port Phillip Shipwrights Society
Creator
Australasian Sketcher
Date created
14 June 1873
Important to note
The
slogans in this banner read ‘Unity is strength' and ‘Knowledge is power'. Unity
is a long-held principle of unionism, as in order to sway their employers,
workers must present a united front. There was also a strong belief that
education led working men to powerful positions in industry and government.
Banner for Iron Moulders Society of Victoria
Creator
Australasian Sketcher
Date created
14 June 1873
Important to note
Many
union banners portrayed men and women at work in their profession. By displaying
their everyday tasks in a public, celebratory banner, working-class people showed
that their labours were noble and worthy of respect.
Banner for Bricklayers Union
Creator
Australasian Sketcher
Date created
14 June 1873
Important to note
In
this image bricklayers create a sense of nobility around their trade by
comparing it to the grand traditions of building and architecture in
the Roman Empire. This was a key promotional goal of early unions, as
it helped improve
public opinion of the working classes.
