Labor

The growth of wealth and industry in America was bringing a downfall of labor. Organized labor movements from 1875-1900 were put forth to improve conditions for labor workers. The workers raised awareness though Unions and showed their discontent through strikes, which both showed failure and success. This battle was one of man vs. machine and labor workers had somewhat success in making progress towards improvements for themselves.

Big business and industrialization were taking over the economic system and agriculture was becoming less important. Technological advances were booming and diminishing the need for laborers (Doc. D). A trade could have been divided into many small tasks which require much less skill. It then took 100 men what it took 300-400 men to do fifteen years ago. The term “millionaire” had recently been coined and one-tenth of the nation had nine-tenths of the nation’s wealth. Government was not helping laborers, in fact they used court injunction as a weapon against strikers. (Doc. H). They said that national government has the power to regulate interstate commerce and there fore can regulate the weaving rail line’s intruders and force obstructions to leave (Doc. H).

There were several techniques used by laborers to strike attention and defeat management. Labor unions were set up to raise awareness such as the National Labor Union, the Knights of Labor, and the American Federation of Labor. The National Labor Union was a prerequisite for Unions of the late 19th century because it died in the depression of the 1870’s. The Nation Labor Union was the 1st large nation union and welcomed both skilled and unskilled workers, with the exception of the Chinese, and those who were not producers (such as bankers, lawyers, and liquor dealers). They called on Congress order and eight-hour workday. After the National Labor Union’s failure, the Knights of Labor took over efforts (1860’s-1890) towards and eight-hour workday and they were more successful. They too invited skilled and unskilled workers (as well as immigrants, all races, and all religions) to join. Inviting all members alike was part of their eventual downfall in 1890 because they did not keep the skillful workers and militant labor leaders allied with themselves. With several different ethnic and social groups it would have been hard to manage and very divided. Management had more power when dealing with both skilled and unskilled workers for example the Homestead Lockout (Doc. G). The Knights of Labor did not use strikes as their source