Workers React to Oppression

1. Workers React to Oppression U.S. History

2. John C. Calhoun Quote • “I have also looked into the working conditions of free laborers in the North. You will not be surprised when I say that our Negroes live better than most factory workers. Does anyone lookout for the poor worker whose arm is permanently damaged? No. Does anyone see that workers are properly fed and housed? Again, the answer is no. I think that if our slaves saw what awaits them in Northern factory life, they would never wish to set foot north of Maryland.”

3. The Industrial Revolution • When? • Begins in Europe in the late 1700’s. • Spread to the U.S. approx. 50 years later. • What? • Manufacturing shifts from hand production to machine production. • New technologies allow more efficient production. • People leave farming jobs and begin to work in factories.

5. Review: Captains of Industry or Robber Barons? (Ch. 13, Sec. 2) • During the Industrial Revolution, the owners of businesses/ factories grew wealthy very quickly (tycoons) • Andrew Carnegie (steel), John D. Rockefeller (oil). • Some used their wealth to control entire industries and prices. • Monopolies/ cartels form • Were these owners “Captains of Industry”(good) or “Robber Barons” (bad)?

6. Tycoons

7. Poor Working Conditions • These newly opened factories needed large numbers of workers. • Unskilled workers made just enough to survive. • Working conditions were bad; poorly lit, unsafe, toxic; accidents occurred regularly. • Many worked 15 hrs./day for $0.10/hr • Children worked in these conditions as well. • At the same time, the “robber barons” were reaping huge profits!

8. Child Labor

9. Child Labor

10. Growth of Cities • During the I.R., people left rural farms to work in urban factories= rapid growth of cities. • Ex. Chicago in 1850= 29,963 • Chicago in 1900= 1,698,000 • Because of this, living conditions in cities were usually poor • Unpaved streets, no running H2O or sewers. • Crowded housing • Disease spread rapidly

11. English Population Growth During the Industrial Revolution

12. Chicago’s Population Growth 1840-1900

13. Poor Living Conditions • Because of low pay, living conditions were poor. • Apartments were crowded (tenements) • Lack of basic nutrition/ disease= high death rate • Owners typically lived nowhere near their workers, usually in large mansions in nicer parts of town.

16. Carnegie and Pullman Mansions

17. The Situation • Over time, workers grew frustrated with their working and living conditions. • Conflicts between workers (labor) and bosses (management) were common. • Management’s goal was to make as much money as possible and workers felt used, mistreated, and miserable. • Despite poor conditions, workers continued to work because they lacked other options and needed to support their families.

18. The Formation of Unions • Workers used collective bargaining (group negotiation) to negotiate for higher wages and better conditions. • If the workers did not get what they wanted, they would go on strike, which is a refusal to work until demands are met. • A strike shut down the factory and cost the owners $$$.

19. Early Unions • Knights of Labor • Founded by Uriah Smith Stevens • Workers of any trade • Focused on large scale change, such as replacing capitalism with socialism. • Allowed African American members • American Federation of Labor • Founded by Samuel Gompers • Focused on gaining better wages, hours, and working conditions • Did not allow women, discriminated against African Americans