As America industrialized and became a powerhouse achieving strides in technology, it stimulated the widespread growth of factories. While these industries were extremely productive came at a high cost; this cost would be represented by an unreasonably high and avoidable death toll. In David Von Drehle’s book, Triangle:The fire that changed America Drehle evaluates how the horrific fire at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in 1911 was a “crucial moment in a potent chain of events-a chain of events that ultimately forced fundamental reforms from the political machine of New York” (Drehle, 2003, 3). This central idea is expressed throughout the book as he explains how the fire served as a catalyst towards an “era of reform, an era of change”
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Tragedy was not uncommon, “Death was an almost routine workplace hazard . . . one hundred or more Americans died on the job every day in the booming industrial years around 1911” (Drehle, 2003, 3). This cycle went on for years, only getting worse until the Triangle disaster. The events gave reformers what they needed to finally pursue reform to the fullest extent. “One hundred forty-six people” died due to a system consumed by greed, which is unacceptable (Drehle, 2003, 167). Reformers acted so this would never happen again, laws and organizations were conceived to make sure that all measures were taken. “In 1943, the machine reluctantly sold its headquarters-a moment symbolic of utter defeat. The buyer: The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union” (Drehle, 2003, 268). Politics truly changed for the people, corruption at Tammany Hall crumbled under the weight of reform. Overall Drehle has written a monograph that effectively conveys and proves how the Triangle fire was responsible for mass political and workplace reform during the early nineteen-hundreds. Drehle’s research provides various accounts and perspectives of reformers who played a major in this and left a lasting impact. Without reform workplace conditions and politics would still be dismal compared to the present. Any reader interested in how much business has changed, along with their influence would thoroughly enjoy, Triangle: The fire that changed
Tragedy was not uncommon, “Death was an almost routine workplace hazard . . . one hundred or more Americans died on the job every day in the booming industrial years around 1911” (Drehle, 2003, 3). This cycle went on for years, only getting worse until the Triangle disaster. The events gave reformers what they needed to finally pursue reform to the fullest extent. “One hundred forty-six people” died due to a system consumed by greed, which is unacceptable (Drehle, 2003, 167). Reformers acted so this would never happen again, laws and organizations were conceived to make sure that all measures were taken. “In 1943, the machine reluctantly sold its headquarters-a moment symbolic of utter defeat. The buyer: The International Ladies’ Garment Workers’ Union” (Drehle, 2003, 268). Politics truly changed for the people, corruption at Tammany Hall crumbled under the weight of reform. Overall Drehle has written a monograph that effectively conveys and proves how the Triangle fire was responsible for mass political and workplace reform during the early nineteen-hundreds. Drehle’s research provides various accounts and perspectives of reformers who played a major in this and left a lasting impact. Without reform workplace conditions and politics would still be dismal compared to the present. Any reader interested in how much business has changed, along with their influence would thoroughly enjoy, Triangle: The fire that changed