USHC-4.4b Explain the impact of industrial growth and business cycles on farmers, workers, immigrants, labor unions, and the Populist movement and the ways that these groups and the government responded to the economic problems caused by industry and business.

Work Wages are too low at this time, everyone in the family must work Usually 12 hours a day, 6 days a week Child labor a common sight, not illegal yet No benefits or Social Security

Working conditions were poor One event, the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, killed 146 people which started a cause of safer working conditions Sweatshops were also common Usually in apartments, or unused buildings Very little pay, the workers were usually immigrants

Living Spaces Most were just as bad as work Lots of urban slums with tenements-overcrowded apartments, no heat, no running water, no electricity, one bathroom per floor Wooden tenements often burned to the ground because of candles This overcrowding brings unclean conditions

The Rise of Labor Unions Because of the challenging conditions faced by workers during the Gilded Age organizations formed to try and protect workers called labor unions. Craft Unions- unions open to skilled workers who practice a specific craft. (electricians, cigar makers, or plumbers union) Trade Unions- tended to be open to less skilled workers who practiced, often working the same or similar industries. (United Auto Workers)

Important Early Labor Unions Knight’s of Labor- formed in 1869 (Terrance Powderly) and hoped to organize all working men and women into a single union, including African-American’s Equal pay for equal work, eight hour work day and an end to child labor. This group staged a series of strikes that led to government intervention and public disapproval causing the decline and disappearance of the group. American Federation of Labor- led by Samuel Gompers formed as a craft union and focused on three major issues. Wages Working conditions Working hours.

Important Early Labor Unions ***Industrial Workers of the World – 1905 ‘Wobblies” ***They advocated the overthrow of capitalism Many were deported because of their unpopular socialist views during the “Red Scare”

Major Strategies of the AFL ***Strikes- refusal of employees to work unless certain demands are met. ***Boycotts- refusal to buy or purchase certain products or services in hopes of forcing producers to change their policies or actions. Collective Bargaining- is a process through which employees negotiate as a united group rather than as individuals. Mediation- when a neutral third party (sometimes the government) helps to negotiate a settlement acceptable to both sides. Arbitration- When a third party is granted the authority to create an agreement that both sides must accept as legally binding. ***Closed-Shop- work places where employers could only hire union members

Eugene Debs Organized the American Railway Union in 1893 Lead the famed Pullman Strike of 1894 where the government sent troops to stop the strike. He was a lead advocate of socialism (a political philosophy that advocates government, rather than private ownership of property). He ran for President several times as leader of the American Socialist Party.

Employer response to Unions Employers of the late 19th Century hated labor unions They forced their employees to sign yellow-dog contracts which forbade workers from even joining. Others placed union members of blacklists a list of workers employers would refuse to hire. Lockouts- when strikes occurred the employer would refuse to allow the employees to come back to work. Scabs- replacement workers to take over jobs vacated during a strike. Government often helped unions break strikes because it became common for employers to ask for injunctions. (court orders that forbade strikes because they violated law or threatened public interest.) If all else failed intimidation and violence were used.

Major Strikes and Labor confrontations. Railroad employers cut wages for their workers. Railroad workers responded with violence throughout the Midwest and eastern United States. Worried about the violence and disruption to the nations railway service President Rutherford B. Hayes sent federal troops to stop the strike. This action was known as the Great Strike showed that employers could depend on the government in dealing with strikes and labor.

Haymarket Riot In May of 1866 workers mounted a national demonstration in support of the eight hour day. On May 4th, many supporters held a rally at Chicago’s Haymarket Square. A radical exploded a bomb that killed and wounded several police and a riot broke out killing both police and striking workers. This action turned public opinion against unions as people associated unions with anarchy and violence.

The Homestead Strike Steel workers struck against the Carnegie Steel plant in Homestead, Pennsylvania Carnegies partner hired the “Pinkerton’s” to stop the strike. A shoot out occurred and left several people dead or injured. This again started to turn public opinion against the unions for being instigators of violence. The union called off the strike.

The Pullman Strike George Pullman laid off workers. Several union leaders went to protest the firings and Pullman fired several of them The local union went on strike so Pullman closed the plant. Eugene Debs called for a nation wide boycott and by June over 120,000 workers had rallied to the strike. President Cleveland responded with a court injunction against the union and sent federal troops to make sure it was enforced. This act showed that owners could look to the courts for help in labor disputes.

EOC SAMPLE QUESTIONS: 1. Which of the following did NOT contribute to the rise of unions? A. Increased numbers of workers in urban areas B. Child labor C. Dangerous conditions in factories D. Gov. policies giving more power to workers