Chapter 15: The Second Industrial Revolution Section 3: Labor Strives to Organize

Government and Business Government policies concerning business practices usually benefited business, not the worker.

Government and Business Mr. Business-Owner says, “I believe in capitalism and zero government interference… …unless the government interference helps my business!” For example… High tariffs (taxes on materials imported into the U.S.) made imported steel much more expensive than steel made in the U.S.

Government and Business The government did little to regulate business practices. What about the Sherman Antitrust Act, you might say? The act did not define exactly what a trust or monopoly was, so it was difficult to enforce. Corporations and trusts continued to grow.

Government and Business Government leaders paid little attention to the widening gap between the rich and the poor. In 1890, 50% of the nation’s industrial workers made less than $500 per year.

Question 1 How did the federal government help big businesses?

The New Working Class With all of the new industry, there was an increase in demand for labor. Many of these workers were immigrants. By 1900, 1/3 of U.S. industrial workers were foreign-born.

The New Working Class *African Americans Thousands of African American workers moved North to find jobs in industry. Most southern industries did not allow African Americans to hold factory jobs.

The New Working Class *African Americans Overall, the best jobs everywhere still went to native-born white workers or immigrants. Even skilled African American male laborers were confined to the dirtiest, most dangerous jobs.

The New Working Class *Women and Children Most women only worked because their family needed the income. The number of female workers doubled from 1870 to 1890.

The New Working Class *Women and Children The number of children in the workforce doubled during this time as well. By 1890, nearly 20% of children between ages worked for a wage. Children worked in textile mills, canneries, mines, and shoe factories.

Does this look safe to you?

This kid doesn’t look very happy… …and neither do his buddies.

How about shelling oysters for 12 hours a day for a couple of pennies?

Working Conditions Low wages and long hours affected all industrial workers, regardless of age, sex, or race.

Working Conditions White male laborers worked at least 10 hours a day, six days a week, for less than $10 a week. African American, Asian American, and Mexican American men worked the same hours for even less money. Women and children made less than half the pay of white men.

Working Conditions Most employers felt no responsibility for work-related injuries or deaths. They made little effort to improve workplace safety.

Working Conditions Many companies built “company towns.” Residents received paper money that could only be used within the town at stores owned by the company. Prices in those stores were higher than at regular stores.

Question 2 What hardships did industrial workers face?

The Knights of Labor In 1869, nine Philadelphia garment workers, led by Uriah Stephens, founded the Knights of Labor, an early labor union. Terence V. Powderly took over in 1879.

The Knights of Labor Powderly opened membership up to: skilled and unskilled workers. women. African Americans (in 1883). He opposed membership for Chinese workers.

The Knights of Labor The union fought for: the eight-hour work day. equal pay for equal work. the end of child labor.

The Great Upheaval In 1886 the nation experienced a year of intense strikes and violent labor confrontations known as the Great Upheaval. One of the most violent strikes of this time was the Haymarket Riot.

The Haymarket Riot Some 40,000 Chicago workers struck against the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company for an 8-hour workday. The strike soon became led by political radicals and anarchists (those who oppose all forms of government).

The Haymarket Riot A small rally by the workers was organized. When 200 police officers arrived, a bomb exploded in the middle of the police force, and the police responded with gunfire. Seven police officers and one civilian were killed. Four of the anarchists were hanged as a result.

Worker Activism Declines Employers began forcing workers to sign papers stating that they would not join unions. If workers struck, employers would lock them out and bring in other workers to take their place. Union membership shrank.

The AFL Many skilled workers then joined the American Federation of Labor (AFL). This group, however, was only for skilled laborers, and excluded unskilled workers.

Question 3 How successful were labor strikes in the late 1800s? Not very successful. Why? violence