the 19th century and the beginning of factories, railroads, and assembly lines. Many people saw the benefits of industry--new careers, faster ways of making products, and easier transport of goods across the country. Other people saw the disadvantages--pollution, tradesmen being replaced by factories, and low-quality goods.
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss is such a great example of both points of view, and children can often learn better from an entertaining picture book than a social studies text at any age. The Lorax stands for the view of the environmentalist, and the Once-ler is all about industry, money, and making his thneeds. You can use The Lorax to introduce the Industrial Revolution to students.