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Workers Resist Oppression

Workers Resist Oppression. U.S. History. John C. Calhoun Quote.

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Workers Resist Oppression

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  1. Workers Resist 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 • Following the Civil War, America began a shift from an agricultural to an industrial society…this is known as the Industrial Revolution. • Three factors that contributed to the I.R. were new technologies (steam engine, railroads), natural resources (coal, lumber, iron, oil) and available labor (immigrants.)

  4. Growth of Cities • 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, conditions in cities were usually poor • Unpaved streets, no running H2O or sewers, crowded housing. • Disease spread rapidly

  5. Poor Working Conditions • Skilled laborers were paid higher wages, but unskilled workers made just enough to survive. • Working conditions were bad; 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!

  6. Poor Living Conditions • Because of low pay, living conditions were poor. • Apartments were crowded (tenements) • Lack of basic nutrition/ disease= high death rate • Neighborhoods were divided along ethnic lines. • Ex. Roseland, Chicago was Dutch (people from the Netherlands)…very few spoke English.

  7. Management vs. Workers • In many cases, conflict developed between management(owners) and workers. • Management’s goal was to profit as much as possible and they grew very wealthy. • Despite poor conditions, workers continued to work because they lacked other options and needed to support their families.

  8. Workers Organize • Over time, workers began to unite to demand respect, better working conditions and higher pay. • This is known as the Labor Movement.

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