David Von Drehle's Triangle The Fire That Changed America

Triangle, a novel written by David Von Drehle, is about the working conditions that caused “the deadliest workplace disaster in New York history [for ninety years to come]” (Drehle 3). It occurred in the early 1930’s, and about the events that led to protests for better conditions so that the incident that happened on March 25, 1911, in the Triangle Waist building, would not be replicated. Due to the inadequate working conditions, some buildings experienced disasters because “[The] workplace safety was scarcely regulated, and workers’ compensation was considered newfangled or even socialist” (Drehle 3). Most who lost their lives that unfaithful day at the Triangle building, were taken to the pier, “the makeshift morgue at the end of the pier

Triangle tells of the disastrous event of the Triangle shirtwaist factory. It was the fire in New York that took the lives of 146 workers. The Triangle fire occurred March 25, 1911, and for ninety years it was the deadliest workplace disaster in New York history (Von Drehle 3). Von Drehle tells a very descriptive story of the Triangle fire that covers a lot more than just the fire. He begins by telling of the workers and the worker strikes that were going on at the time. Von Drehle then tells the story of the awful day of the fire. Lastly, he describes the trial that followed, and then how the main people of the book end up. While telling the story of the fire, Von Drehle also talked about the politics going on, this dealt with Tammy Hall, the political machinery of NYC and the most powerful machine in America (Von Drehle 12).

The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 was one of the largest disasters in American history. Practically overnight the great city of Chicago was destroyed. Before the fire there was a large drought causing everything to be dry and flammable, then a fire broke out in the O’Leary’s barn and spread throughout the city. Many attempts were made to put out the fire but there were too many errors and problems in the beginning. After the fire many people were left homeless and had to help build their city again (Murphy, 39)

The Great Chicago Fire was one of the significant devastation that happened in the eighteenth century. Through this tragic event, hundreds of people died and thousands of buildings were completely destroyed in the fire. Before, the city was flourishing as more people traveled and decided to call Chicago their home. After the fire destroyed most of the surrounding area, people began blaming one another for the deaths of all the people. As time passed, Chicago slowly began to rebuild like never before. Although the city of Chicago continued to grow before the fire, after, the city boomed with the abundance of money and people. Moreover, because there was destruction, the people of Chicago, Illinois did not allow a fire to stop them from creating more opportunities for the future. The city has changed from the fire, but because of the help that was received, it was able to get rebuilt, and invite new individuals to explore the wondrous city of Chicago.

Life in the early 1900’s wasn’t easy. Competition for jobs was at an all time high, especially in New York City. Immigrants were flooding in and needed to find work fast, even if that meant in the hot, overcrowded conditions of garment factories. Conditions were horrid and disaster was inevitable, and disaster did strike in March, 1911. The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York set on fire, killing 146 workers. This is an important event in US history because it helped accomplish the tasks unions and strikes had tried to accomplish years earlier, It improved working conditions in factories nationwide and set new safety laws and regulations so that nothing as catastrophic would happen again. The workplace struggles became public after

Triangle: The Fire That Changed America by David Von Drehle gives readers a look into one of the most significant tragedies to take place in the United States. Before writing this book, Von Drehle was an American journalist working with The Denver Post, Miami Herald, Washington Post, and Time. Von Drehle is a very accomplished writer as he has won several awards those which recognize his excellence in young journalism, among these are, the Livingston award and the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award. Triangle was written with amazing descriptions that transport you to the day in 1911 where the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire took place. The book gives its audience a chance to experience what not only that horrific day was like, but what most days were like for factory workers. Von Drehle believes that “the fire was a crucial moment in American history that forced fundamental reforms from the political machinery of New York and the whole nation.” (Von Drehle 3)

I think the people in the triangle fire made a lesser difference in the world because they didn't do as much a Cesar Chavez did but the world wouldn't be the same without them. One reason I think they did a good thing for the world is,”Onlookers saw many dreadful sights, none so more than the end of a love affair.”[Marrin,13] This shows that the people watching might of said something to fix the problem. Another quote is,”Those who reached the ninth-floor stairway door found it locked.”[Marrin,7] This shows that if this book was published back then someone would complain to give workers better rights. To conclude this paragraph i think these people did a good thing for society.

In the late nineteenth and twentieth century many immigrants were migrating to the United States for an economic advantage and some by contract labors from various agents, much different from their predecessors. Thomas Bell’s novel “Out of this Furnace” is a generational novel of the characters Kracha, Mike, Mary, and Dobie, coming to America expecting to receive the American Dream and have a better life to soon return back home with riches. However, immigrants and many working class individuals undergo long hours and strenuous work, with minimal amount of pay. Not to mention, the living conditions were horrendous for the average person and particularly worse for arriving immigrants. There was a division between the classes which ultimately

Some disasters are so impactful, that they forever change the course of history. On March 25, 1911, one such event took place. The infamous Triangle Shirtwaist Fire occurred that day, and left one hundred and forty-six people dead in its wake. While many at the time thought the story would soon pass, and with it all the potential bad publicity, the story of the fire spread quickly, and outraged many people. As a result, the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire ended up changing many

On the afternoon of March 25, 1911, a fire broke out in the 10-floor Asch Building, a block east of Manhattan's Washington Square. This is where 500 mostly young immigrant girls were producing shirts for the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. Within minutes, it spread to consume the building's upper three stories. Firemen at the scene were unable to rescue those trapped inside: their ladders weren't tall enough. Exits were locked, and the narrow fire escapes were inadequate. Panicked, many jumped from the windows to their deaths. People on the street watched in horror. The flames were under control in less than a half hour, but 146 people perished, 123 of them women. It was the worst disaster in the city's history.

The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire not only affected the city of New York, but also the rest of the country. It forever changed the way our country would look at safety regulations in factories and buildings. The fire proved to America what can and will happen if we over-look safety regulations and over-crowd buildings. Unfortunately, 146 lives are taken before we fully understand this concept.

     Near closing time on Saturday afternoon, March 25, 1911, in New York City a fire broke out on the top floors of the Asch Building in the Triangle Shirtwaist Company. One of the worst tragedies in American history it was know as the Triangle Shirtwaist Fire. It was a disaster that took the lives of 146 young immigrant workers. A fire that broke out in a cramped sweatshop that trapped many inside and killed 146 people.

How would society be if it didn’t have the proper tools or materials it needed to save life or if safely wasn’t the first thing people thought of and it was all about money learn to see how the Triangle Fire started, kill hundreds, and why reforms were passed after this fire. The Triangle Fire in New York City was the deadliest lethal workplaces tragedy in U.S. history until the attack on the World Trade Center. It killed 146 people and most were women, the women worked in a hard and unsafe work environment and were mostly crowded. These working conditions were mostly neglected by owner of the factory and the owner of the building, but let's see what Albert Marrin an author of the book “Flesh and Blood So Cheap” know about the Triangle Fire

     The owners of Triangle Shirtwaist Factory wereMax Blanck and Isaac Harris. These men were wealthy business men who did very little work and made a fortune off the backs of hard working women, and immigrants. These men were held in high regard for there riches among there rich friends in the community. Although among the less off people of New York, Mr. Blanck and Mr. Harris, along with other sweatshop owners, were thought as money hungry, filthy rich men who had no mercy, let alone personality towards the people whom worked for them.

During the 18th century, England and the Americas were mostly agricultural based societies. The majority of people lived in rural communities, worked at home, and used basic tools or handmade machinery in order to make a living for their family. Soon, the innovation in the textile and iron industries created a shift towards the Industrial Revolution, and many people began to migrate to more urban areas in order to work in factories. Although the revolution was faced with many problems, such as grim employment and living conditions for the poor and working classes, industrial growth helped the economy as there was a boom in manufactured goods at lowered costs. The United States, during this time, was rapidly expanding, and industry was growing by leaps and bounds. In New York City, the garment industry flourished which led to the immigration boom as people, mainly from Europe, immigrated to America for a better life and for better economic opportunities. The Triangle Fire, by Jo Ann E. Argersinger is set during the time of the Progressive era in America and details a turning point in American history. Culturally, many immigrants began to embrace American lifestyle; although, they still had strong ties to their own traditions which caused the concept of “the melting pot.” Historically, many key events contributed to, and influenced future cultural and societal changes. Philosophically, in the United States, the terrible working and living conditions of