Labor in the Gilded Age

1. Labor in the Gilded Age

2. Focus Question • Identify the message of the following image. • Who does this image appeal to?

3. Objectives: After today’s lesson, you will: • Describe four major labor unions of the Gilded Age • Discuss three turning points in Gilded Age labor relations

4. Grievances Grew • Workers increasingly left out • Could not affords goods produced • Could not enjoy recreation • Could not send children to school • Matters worsened with economic crises • Depression of 1873 • Depression of 1893

5. Organize • System made solitary protests difficult • The only way to protest successfully was in a union • Reminiscent of the old reform movements • Assisted by European immigrant traditions

6. Early Unions (I) Knights of Labor • Believed in organizing all workers • Skilled and Unskilled • White and Black • Male and Female • Fought for • Higher wages • The Eight Hour workday • Better working conditions • End to child labor

7. Early Unions (II) American Railway Union • Conglomeration of railroad workers • Allowed for collective action against the railroads • Sought higher wages and better working conditions • Grew exceptionally rapidly

8. Early Unions (III) • American Federation of Labor • Organized skilled craftsworkersinto craft unions • Refused to admit women and blacks into many affiliates • Fought for • Higher wages • Eight hour day • Better conditions • End to child labor • Collective bargaining rights

9. Early Unions (IV) Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies) • Believed in organizing all workers and farmers • Fought for • “One Big Union” • Democratic workplace • Overthrow the wage system

10. Summary • Why is it important to understand the groups and events we studied today?