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Divided Workers, 1900-1917

Explore the divisions among workers in the early 20th century, including ethnicity, race, and gender. Delve into the causes of these divisions and the challenges faced by workers, as well as the successes and potential for change.

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Divided Workers, 1900-1917

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  1. Divided Workers, 1900-1917 I. The Divided Workforce A. Ethnicity B. Race C. Gender II. Causes A. Chance B. Discrimination C. Employers III. Confronting Diversity A. Successes B. Craft Exclusivity C. Worker Attitudes D. Line-crossing E. Radical potential

  2. Ethnicity  Nationalities at Duquesne Steel Mill, 1919 • Europeans are diverse workforce. • Divisions of language, religion, and culture correspond to occupational differences as well.

  3. Race • In 1890, most blacks work in southern agriculture • Tenant farming • Begin moving to southern cities, taking jobs in wage labor • Between 1910 and 1920, 500,000 blacks leave the South for Northern cities Sleeping car porters’ local union, Oakland, n.d.

  4. Gender • Between 1900-20, small increase in women working as wage earners outside the home • But big change in which women work • Married women • Big change in the jobs they do • Light industry

  5. Chance • Location • Skills • Timing Mohawk iron worker

  6. Discrimination • Majority bias overwhelms demands for equal treatment. Moses Fleetwood Walker Toledo catcher Adrian “Cap” Anson Chicago Colts Player-Manager

  7. Employers • Paternalistic egalitarianism • Divide and conquer Anti-union auto magnate Henry Ford William Perry, c. 1890 1st black Ford worker

  8. Union Successes • Race • Miners • Longshoremen • Gender • Telephone operators • Waitresses • Washerwomen African-American coal passers talk strike Georgia, 1911

  9. Craft Exclusivity • View homogeneity as essential to craft governance • Fear that diversity will undermine discipline Martin “Skinny” Madden Chicago steamfitters’ union official

  10. Worker Attitudes • Some union officials cannot overcome their constituents’ resistance to open membership. • Other union officials hold stereotypical view of blacks, women, Asians, etc. See them as ungovernable. Flyer, Butte Miners Union, 1898

  11. Vicious Circle • Unions restrict admission • Non-unionists cross pick lines • Unionists cite betrayal as justification for exclusivity Strikebreakers Chicago packinghouse strike, 1904

  12. Radical Possibilities • The craft mentality had been a source of strength, but has become a weakness • Must find way to cross race, gender, ethic lines Coal miners, Alabama, 1907

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