What % of US jobs do you think the average American would predict are in manufacturing?
What is the big story this chart tells?
Why do you think this is happening?
What is one consequence of this?
Overall, is this good or bad news?
If this trend were to continue, by 2025, what percent of US jobs would be in manufacturing?
In 1950, almost 1/3 of all US jobs were in manufacturing (factory work); in 1900, 38% of all US jobs were in agriculture (farming); today, around 80% of all US jobs are in the service industry. Considering economic opportunity, explain which time period you would prefer to live in.
Where have these manufacturing jobs gone?
Are the countries where manufacturing makes up a much larger percentage of jobs, generally wealthier or poorer than the US?
Many of these manufacturing jobs have been automated and are now performed by robots.
Do you think Donald Trump should declare a war on robots?
How do you think the data from this chart impacted the 2016 election?
How do you think the data from this chart impacts US politics in general?
Do you think Donald Trump will be able to bring back manufacturing jobs?
Do you think Donald Trump should try to bring back more agricultural jobs?
What is one program or policy the government could pass to try to bolster manufacturing jobs in the US?
Many of the rust belt states (Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio) that were once home to manufacturing centers and reliably voted for Democrats, supported Donald trump in the 2016 election. Why do you think that is?
Learning Extension
Research the following countries: China, Croatia, Mexico, Russia, Singapore, Somalia, and the US. List their % of jobs in manufacturing and their per capita gdp.
Action Extension
Share your learning extension data and conclusions you have drawn with your class or online.