American History Chapter 6: The Expansion of American Industry IV. The Great Strikes

Objectives Discover the impact of industrialism on the gulf between rich and poor. Find out the goals of the early labor union in the US. Learn why Eugene V. debs formed the American Railway Union. Study the causes and outcomes of the major strikes in the late 1800s.

Attention Getter Your employee has just told you that you must work 5 hours extra a week or you are fired. You will not get paid for these hours. What do you do? Could you be able to find a job with all of these immigrants and farmers moving to the city? Remember – no unemployment compensation.

Recall Prior Knowledge What are unions? When were they created? Can you name a few?

Setting the Scene During the late nineteenth century, workers were getting paid so little that they could not afford to buy the products they were producing. Low wages were not the only problem. Long work weeks and dangerous working conditions were still major issues.

A) Gulf Between Rich and Poor 1890 – 9% of Americans held 75% of the wealth This is called unequal distribution of wealth Workers became politically active to deal with this problem. One solution was socialism. Socialism: economic and political philosophy that favors public instead of private control of the means of production Society should run the wealth – and distribute it equally In 1848, Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels wrote Communist Manifesto Most Americans opposed socialism – even the poor. Why?

B) The Rise of Labor Unions Early labor unions failed because of depressions and a poor economy. National Trade Union and National Labor Union are two examples Knights of Labor – allowed men women and African Americans – fought for equal pay for equal work, 8 hour work day, no child labor – a violent strike ended the union

American Federation of Labor started by Samuel Gompers 19) Craft Union: only skilled workers – not all workers No African Americans and women were allowed because they drive wages down and their main goal was higher wages. Used a technique called collective bargaining. Collective bargaining: process in which workers negotiate as a group with employers Wanted a closed shop – no workers not union members could not get jobs

Employees took steps to end unions Forbid union meetings Fired union organizers Forced workers to sign “yellow dog” contracts – people could only get jobs if they promised they would not join a union No collective bargaining during strikes Refused to recognize unions Read the quote on the bottom of page 249 by George Baer – an executive of a big company. Does that quote sound like Social Darwinism?

C) Railroad Workers Organize The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 – Baltimore and Ohio Railroad cut wages because of a depression twice – workers strike – militia called in to break strike – riot spread throughout US – President Hayes called in federal troops to put it down – government takes side of business Some unions peaceful – Eugene Debs President of the American Railway Union did not use strikes Industrial union: Union that organizes workers from all crafts in a given industry

D) Strikes Rock the Nation Scabs – negative term for a worker called in by owner to replace striking laborers Anarchists: radicals who oppose all government

a) Haymarket Riot Strike at Chicago McCormick reaper factory – got violent when scabs were sent in – police intervened – several dead Protest rally called at Haymarket Square – bomb thrown into police killing one – police fired into crowd – killing many 8 people convicted 4 – hanged – one suicide – 3 pardoned later

b) Homestead Strike of 1892 At Carnegie Steal plant in Homestead Pennsylvania Carnegie in Europe – partner was Henry Frick Frick tried to cut wages – union called a strike Frick called in the Pinkerton private police force – things got bad and a shootout happened – several dead Anarchist not involved tried to assassinated Frick Public opinion turned sour – strike called off.

c) Pullman Strike of 1894 Built rail cars Pullman built a whole town for his workers. They bought groucerys from Pullman’s store and rented Pullman’s houses. Cut wages 25% but kept prices of everything else in the town the same. Eugene Debs and the ARU got involved – national train stoppage which delayed mail. Delaying the mail is a federal crime. President sent in troops – strike over Government again protected business

Summarize and Review What impact did industrialization have on the gulf between rich and poor? What were the goals of the early labor unions in the US? Why did Eugene Debs organize the American Railway Union? What were the causes and outcomes of the major strikes in the late 1800s?

Process Information One of the recurring themes of this section was what side did the federal government take on labor issues? The answer is that they took the side of business – not the workers. As long as that happens, will unions ever achieve their goals? What US President will be the first to back workers? Franklin Roosevelt

Once you finish, go back to the web-page and download and print quiz 6 Once you finish, go back to the web-page and download and print quiz 6.4. After completing the quiz, send an e-mail to me with your answers. In the subject line put (your first and last name – quiz 6.4) When you finish with that – check with the syllabus to find out when the review worksheets need to be completed Good Luck!