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Tragedy at the Haymarket

Tragedy at the Haymarket. Focus Question. Describe the differences between these two posters. Objectives. After this lesson, you will: Discuss the conflict between personal freedom and public safety Identify the major events in the Haymarket Tragedy

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Tragedy at the Haymarket

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  1. Tragedy at the Haymarket

  2. Focus Question • Describe the differences between these two posters

  3. Objectives After this lesson, you will: • Discuss the conflict between personal freedom and public safety • Identify the major events in the Haymarket Tragedy • Discuss the impact of the Haymarket Tragedy on 19th century America

  4. “Congress shall make no law … abridging . . . the right of the people peaceably to assemble . . .” First Amendment, 1791

  5. The Haymarket Affair • The Haymarket had a profound effect on the American Labor Movement • Led to an end of the 8-hour day movement • Galvanized public distrust of organized labor • Led to the collapse of the Knights of Labor

  6. Chicago • Chicago in the 1880s was key to the Labor Movement • Manufacturing and transportation center • Rapidly growing city • Large-scale European immigration • Strong divide between the rich and poor • Home to many immigrants • Presence of a significant Anarchist movement

  7. Anarchism and Labor • Strong Anarchist Movement in Chicago • Replace state authority with the freedom of labor • Utopian movement • Had roots in the Chicago German community • Many anarchists in Chicago had ties with the Knights of Labor

  8. May 1886 • Anarchists in Chicago sought an 8-hour work day • Called for a General Strike on May 1, 1886 • Shutting down the city would force Management to bargain • May Day opened with massive rallies, marches, and a work stoppage

  9. Encouraging Results • Many in the city supported the movement • Some industries immediately gave in • Meatpackers signed contracts guaranteeing the 8-hour day on May 2 • Others seemed sure to follow

  10. McCormick Works • Management locked workers out at the McCormick works in February • Rally held on May 3, 1886 to support the workers • Rally broken apart by the Chicago police • Crowd dispersed when fired upon • Two workers killed by the police • Left organizers fuming

  11. Rally called at the Haymarket • Rally scheduled for the next day • Speakers addressed the crowd from 8:30 until 10:30 • Peaceable Assembly • Civic leaders attended, did not participate

  12. The Incident • At 10:30 the rally was ordered to disperse • Some 175 Chicago police marched on the crowd • Speakers announced that they would go • A bomb exploded, killing 7 policemen outright • Police fired into the crowd, killing 4

  13. Public Animosity • Chicago business leaders turned on the workers • General Strike abruptly ended • Existing 8-hour contracts rendered void • Leaders of the rally arrested • Speedy conviction in the Cook County Courts • Four executed • One committed suicide in prison • Three received pardons from the Governor

  14. Results • Eight-hour day movement stalled until the 1930s • Public turned against organized labor • Knights of Labor collapsed • Growth of a more conservative labor organization • American Federation of Labor • Government saw a need to redirect working class frustration

  15. Summary Describe three things learned in this class during this week.

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