Bien, Zachary APUSH – Period 3 Mr. Hafter

The Immigrant Workforce  The industrial workforce within the United States expanded in the late nineteenth century as demand for factory labor grew.  Immigrants traveled to the U.S. to escape poverty and oppression in their homeland.  Industrial employers actively recruited immigrant workers under the Labor Contract Law. The Labor Contract Law was repealed in 1885 which previously permitted employers to pay for an individuals travel to the U.S. and deduct the money later from their wages.

The Immigrant Workforce cont.  Low paid immigrants began to replace higher paid skilled workers within the textile factory. Work within the factories applied unskilled labor that could be performed by anyone. This increased the use of unskilled women and children within factories. ○ These people received even lower wages than adult men. ○ Women’s annual income: $314 ○ Men’s annual income: $597 ○ The outraged public led to child labor laws that limited the work of use of child labor These laws were INEFFECTIVE!

Wages and Working Conditions  The average standard of living among workers rose in the U.S. following the Civil War, but the return for their labor was minimal.  Average income: $400 - $500  This income was inadequate for he times and was unable to support a family.  Factory workers worked 10 – 12 hours/day, 6 days a week  Workers experienced unsafe and unsanitary conditions and lacked compensation for injuries.

The Struggle to Unionize  Labor leaders attempted to fight back against poor working conditions in the workplace by forming unions.  The National Labor Union wanted to combine the energies of various labor unions. Individual unions were often ineffective The National Labor Union excluded women

The Great Railroad Strike  The railroad strike of 1877 Began when eastern railroads announced 10% wage cut Strikers acted with violence First national labor conflict Demonstrated the depth of resentment within American workers toward their employers Failure of the strike weakened the railroad unions and damaged the overall perception of unions

The Knights of Labor  First national labor organization – Noble Order of the Knights of Labor Founded in 1869 by Uriah S. Stephens Included women under the Women’s Bureau of the Knights led by Leonora Barry The Knights of Labor launched a series of strikes despite the wishes of their newest leader, Terence V. Powderly The failure of their strikes, like the great railroad strikes, decreased the credit of the organization

The AFL  Represented a variety of craft unions  Represented many skilled workers rather than the unskilled immigrant factory workers in the growing labor force  Demanded an 8 hour work day called for strikes if their wishes were not granted  Due to their radical behavior, unions were unable to distance their actions from anarchist view

The Homestead Strike  The Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers was the most powerful trade union in the U.S.  Made up of skilled workers who could express more power in the workplace than the immigrant workforce  New production methods in the Homestead plant led to cut wages leading to a labor strike  The strike, once again, was repressed and expressed the lack of effectiveness of unions

The Pullman Strike  1894  Pullman Company cut wages by 25% and maintained the high price of rent in the region by the Pullman town  Anger among workers who were unable to support their lifestyle increased tension among workers and strikes that quickly collapsed

Labor Weakness  Congress in 1868 – est. an 8 hour work day, compensation for injured workers These laws passed by Congress were not enforced Despite the creation of labor union, power still remained with employers throughout the late nineteenth century

Unionism Questions  The American Federation of Labor  Led by Samuel Gompers; an alliance of skilled workers in craft unions; concentrated on brea-and-butter issues such as higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions.  The Great Railroad Strike  1877, provoked by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad's decision to cut wages for the second time in a year; remembered as the first general strike in American history;paralyzed the nation's commerce for 45 days; forced governors in ten states to mobilize 60,000 militia to reopen rail traffic.

Works Cited Brinkley, Alan. American History: Connecting with the past. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, Print. "Unionism." Encyclopedia of Alabama. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb