Can we teach the Industrial Revolution's full story without guilt or exceptionalism?
We learn in school that the Industrial Revolution was a triumph of human ingenuity, but it also created the factory system that relied on child labor and 16-hour workdays. When I visited a textile museum, the guide praised the machinery while glossing over the human cost. I believe history education should present a balanced view, but my friend argues that focusing on suffering undermines pride in national progress. Can we teach the full story without falling into guilt or exceptionalism?