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Apprenticeships (Historical Context)
The learning of a trade through apprenticeship, in which a young person was placed with and formally bound to a master, has roots way back in medieval times. By the 16th century, it was generally accepted as a means of providing technical training to boys and a very few girls in a wide range of occupations. -
Baby Farms (Historical Context)
Baby farming refers to the historical practice of accepting custody of an infant or child in exchange for payment in late-Victorian Era Britain. -
Mexican Republic and President Bolivar (Real World)
Mexico becomes a republic, three years after declaring independence from Spain; Bolívar liberates Peruand becomes its president. -
Charles Dickens Works in a Blacking Factory (Historical Context)
On 9 February 1824, only two days after his twelfth birthday, Dickens left his home at 4 Gower Street North and walked the three miles to Warren’s Blacking Factory. Here, for ten hours a day, Monday through Saturday, Dickens pasted labels onto the individual pots of blacking, a mixture used for polishing boots. -
Oliver is Born (Novel)
Oliver is born and abandoned by his parents. -
Oliver Is Sent to a Workhouse (Novel)
immediately after being born, Oliver is sent to a workhouse. -
Oliver Is Sent To a Baby Farm (Novel)
Still young, Oliver is sent to a baby farm where he is raised and beaten several times by the owner. -
Slave Rebellion and Polish revolt (Real World)
Polish revolt against Russia fails. Belgium separates from the Netherlands. In U.S., Nat Turner leads unsuccessful slave rebellion. -
Workhouses (Historical Context)
The Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, ensured that no able-bodied person could get poor relief unless they went to live in special workhouses. The idea was that the poor were helped to support themselves. They had to work for their food and accommodation. -
Poor Law (Historical Context)
The new Poor Law ensured that the poor were housed in workhouses, clothed and fed. Children who entered the workhouse would receive some schooling. In return for this care, all workhouse paupers (poor people) would have to work for several hours each day. -
Princess Victoria Takes The Throne (Historical Context)
Princess Victoria of Kent Takes The Throne As Queen Victoria of England. -
Child Labor (Historical Context).
During the Victorian era, child labor was very common on farms and in factories. There was no protection for children, and they did many dangerous jobs. Some of the jobs were done by children as young as six years old. -
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Oliver Twist Was Published (Historical Context)
Installments of Oliver twist were published monthly for two years until the full book was released in 1839. -
Back to The Workhouse (Novel)
After he turns eight years old, Oliver is sent back to the workhouse since he is no longer young enough for a baby farm. -
Oliver Asks for More (Novel)
After staying in the the workhouse for some time, Oliver asks for more food and is punished for doing so. -
Opium War (Real World)
First Opium War, between Britain and China, over importation of drugs into China. -
Gangs Of London (Historical Context)
The industrial revolution led to the formation and loss of many jobs. The working class made enough money to keep themselves from becoming impoverished. Meanwhile, the poor and even other members of the working class found that crime was much easier and sometimes more profitable. -
Oliver Is Beaten (Novel)
After working in the workhouse for some time, Oliver is beaten for not working fast enough and making mistakes. -
Canada Is One (Real World)
Lower and Upper Canada are united. -
Oliver The Apprentice (Novel)
As a punishment for asking for more food, Oliver is forced to become the apprentice of a workhouse beadle. -
Presidential death (Real World)
U.S. President Harrison dies one month after inauguration, and John Tyler becomes first vice president to succeed to presidency. -
Children In The Workhouse (Historical Context)
Children in the workhouse often included orphans, felons, and/or cripples. This, however didn't stop them from being abused. Often, the children would be beaten if they didn't work efficient enough. -
Oliver Meets Mr. Fagin (Novel)
Apprenticeship work leads to Oliver's introduction to Mr. Fagin, A gang leader. -
Oliver Finds Thieves (Novel)
Oliver Finds out that the other apprentices he has been working alongside with are thieves and runs away. -
Oliver Finds a Home (Novel)
Oliver inherits his share of the money from his father, and is legally adopted by Mr. Brownlow.
