Rough Patches on the Railroad

Learning Objectives Understanding the positives the railroad expansion brought to the United States Recognize the idea that the railroad industry did not always a positive outcome for everyone involved Reflect on the impact of what a labor union is capable of accomplishing and how they are still making an impact today

Opening Discussion 1. What is are the positives of railroad expansion? 2. What are the negatives?

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Transcontinental Railroad : Building of the railroad Movement westward Central Pacific vs Union Pacific. Became a competition Before railroad: $1,000 After railroad: $150 Involved loopholes and illegal actions taken by the wealthy involved in the project Many challenges were presented Immigrants were involved Central Pacific: Chinese Union Pacific: Irish

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Railroad Strike of 1877 First major railroad strike Due to financial issues that still lingered from 1873 Companies slashing wages by up to 10% Companies also increased workload but no additional workers Workers answered with blockades Militia vs strikers. Sometimes resulted in violence

Baltimore Merchant “The strike, is not a revolution of fanatics willing to fight for an idea. It is a revolt of working men against low prices of labor, which have not been accomplished with corresponding low prices of food, clothing and house rent.”

Homestead Strike of 1892 Andrew Carnegie’s reputation changed Conflict at his steel plant in Pennsylvania Economic downturn was the main cause Frick made the decisions while Carnegie was out of the country Would only deal with workers individually. Break the union “Fort Frick” Battle against the Pinkertons. Eventually defeated and returned to work

Pullman Strike George Pullman “Pullman City” in Illinois Expected to take pay cuts and heavier workloads without question "He wasn't a man to let you pray for free“ Most workers belonged to American Railroad Union No Pullman cars except for mail. Helped to avoid troops arriving Troops eventually arrived and the strike ended First strike with federal injunction being used to end it

Activity! Answer these questions at each station What is the mood of the article? Does the image or article support the employers or employees? Brief Summary of what you see or read

Wrap Up Write a small paragraph of what you learned in the lesson today. What are some things you learned that you didn’t know previously? Are there any current examples of labor strikes you can think of in the transportation industry? If so, how does it compare to the railroad strikes we discussed. How is it different?

Resources Digital History. “The Great Railroad Strike” Digital History. Accessed November 15, History.com staff. “Transcontinental Railroad.” History. Accessed November 15, Martina, Brendel. “The Pullman Strike.” Illinois Periodicals Online. Accessed November 15, PBS. “The Homestead Strike.” American Experience. Accessed November 15, Transcontinental railroad, Map/Still, from Britannica Online for Kids, accessed December 6, 2015,