Question

In the space provided, write a paragraph explaining what you've learned through your exploration of the sources and why you feel harris and blanck were found not guilty in the triangle shirtwaist factory fire

Answer 1

Through my exploration of various sources regarding the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, I learned about the complex legal and social ramifications of this tragic event. Harris and Blanck, the owners of the factory, were ultimately found not guilty largely due to the prevailing legal standards and societal attitudes of the time, which often placed more blame on the workers for not escaping rather than on owners for their negligence. The prosecution struggled to prove that Harris and Blanck acted with criminal intent or gross negligence, and the defense highlighted the lack of clear regulations on fire safety that existed then. Additionally, the culture of labor rights and safety regulations was still in its infancy, and public responsibility towards worker safety was not yet firmly established. This context likely contributed to the jury's decision, reflecting both the limitations of the legal system at the time and the ongoing struggle for labor rights that emerged in the wake of such tragedies.