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Explore the historical labor movements and challenges faced by workers during times of economic change. From the Knights of Labor to the American Federation of Labor, discover the fight for better working conditions, fair wages, and safer workplaces. Learn about significant events like the Haymarket Riot, the Homestead Strike, and the Pullman Strike, and understand the viewpoints of labor unions and the struggles faced by farmers against the railroads. Discover how these movements shaped the labor landscape and laid the foundation for workers' rights.
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Ch. 8-3: Labor’s Response to Economic Change • Laborers worked 60-70 hrs a week • Machines were dangerous • Ventilation was very poor • Accidents were very common
Knights of Labor (1869) • Included skilled & unskilled laborers • Led by Terrance Powderly • Arbitration- judging of a dispute by an impartial person
Goal- shorter day with more money • Haymarket Riot 1886- bomb was thrown into a crowd killing several police officers and civilians
Anarchists (oppose the govt.) were blamed for the bombing • Knights of Labor- lost a lot of members b/c of the riot • Govt. supported the businesses
American Federation of Labor (1886) • Led by Samuel Gompers • Brought different craft unions together • Bread and Butter Goals: higher wages, shorter working hours and better working conditions
Scabs- workers that replaced union workers when they went on strike • Sweatshops- people work very long hours for very little which is common in Asia today
International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union • Represent women in sewing shops • Triangle Shirtwaist Co. NYC- 146 garment workers died when their building caught fire 1911
Homestead Strike 1892 • Workers striking b/c of wage reduction in a steel mill • Pinkertons (Strike breakers)- called in to break up the strike • Workers went back for less $$
Pullman Strike (1894) • Workers went on strike b/c of wage reduction • Workers would not allow the RR cars to leave Chicago • They stopped interstate mail • Pres. Cleveland sent in federal troops break the strike b/c the U.S. Mail was delayed
Viewpoint of Labor Unions • Govt. always supported businesses over the unions • People saw union members as violent revolutionaries • Union Goal- more $$$, less hours and safer workingconditions
Farmers & the Railroads • RR Companies charged farmers high rates to ship their goods • Farmers depend on their harvest which often left many in debt
Grange Movement • Grange- brought farm families together • Goal was to regulate RR rates for farmers • RR companies hated the Grange
Granger Laws • State govt. began regulate freight rates or RR companies • Munn v. Illinois 1877 supported the Granges but later overturned