I. Background information on industry and workers
A. Between the period of 1865-1900, industry exploded in growth
B. There were many contributors that included government action, labor unions, immigration, and technological changes.
1. Government action tried to help the workers by decreasing corporations ' control over employees
2. Labor unions tried to increase benefits and make working easier
3. Immigration helped by having a cheap, abundant labor source for businesses to use
4. Technological changes both helped and hurt workers by making it easier to work but making it harder by causing a need for skilled labor.
C. All of these affected workers, but in some more than others, however, labor unions and technological changes had
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B. Inventions like the Bessemer process, railroads, and the production plant all affected jobs and the economy.
C. The Bessemer process allowed steel to be created at a much faster rate.
1. This called for more workers in order to maximize production
(a) Most workers were immigrants that worked two 12-hour shifts, seven days a week.
2. The Bessemer process greatly affected the worker by providing more jobs, but at a lower wage, lower benefits, and higher hours, a negative effect.
D. In the 1860 's, the government finally commissioned the first transcontinental railroad.
E. Then from the 1860 's to about 1893, four more transcontinental railroads were created.
1. These transcontinental railroads stimulated industry greatly, creating more jobs in both industry and working on the rails.
F. The invention and development of the production plant affected the worker greatly.
1. There were now more jobs due to the openings in factories.
(a) Machines replaced skilled workers in factories
G. Technological changes often replaced workers, however, it often created more jobs in the long run.
IV. Summarizing the effects of labor unions and technological changes
A. Both labor unions and technological changes greatly affected the Industrial worker in the period of 1865-1900.
B. Labor unions tried to provide greater benefits for workers and mostly positively affected workers.
1. They were mostly successful in
The chief political issue of the late 1800s was working conditions for laborers. Big businesses, having sought to cut costs however possible, created horrible working conditions for laborers. In an effort to improve these conditions, workers waged strikes and formed labor unions, so that they might gain some semblance of bargaining power. However the fight to improve conditions for workers was largely ineffective thanks to public support of big business, disorganization amongst labor unions, and the negative connotation that came to be associated with labor unions.
The movement in organized labor from 1875 to 1900 to improve the position of workers was unsuccessful because of the inherent weaknesses of unions and the failures of their strikes, the negative public attitudes toward organized labor, widespread government corruption, and the tendency of government to side with big business. After the Civil there was a push to industrialize quickly, and the rushed industrialization was at the expense of the workers as it led to bigger profits for big business and atrocious working conditions for them; conditions that included long working hours, extremely low wages, and the exploitation of children and immigrants.
The rise of organized labor positively impacted society in the workplace. During industrialization, the demand for unskilled workers brought new groups to the workplace. These groups included immigrants, woman and children. The workforce tripled during this period. In factories, the laborers worked for low wages, for long hours and often in unsafe conditions. They united together to form labor unions and demanded
Between the years 1870-1900, Americans began to respond to the effects fostered by these corporations. From urban factory workers to rural farmers, Americans began to organize against these big businesses. With mass industrialization, more job’s were made available to women, these jobs were often in factories with terrible conditions, sweatshops. There was a sameness about working in mass production factories. Thus, working in these modern mass production factories created a homogenous environment that diminished individualism and the need for skilled workers. (Doc. C) Strikers were common during this era, workers participated in strikes and joined labor unions, such as The American Federation of Labor and the Knights of Labor, due to the terrible working conditions. The American Federation of Labor, headed by Samuel Gompers, was specifically for skilled workers and argued for better wages and a reduction in working hours. (Doc. G) Although urban workers were greatly impacted by the growth of these corporations, they were not the ones. Farmers, suffered
The Transcontinental Railroad was one of the most ambitious engineering projects, economic stimulants, and efficient methods of transportation in the early United States. If completed, the United States would be truly be united from east to west. The purpose of this paper is to examine how the Transcontinental Railroad helped develop new opportunities for many aspects of American life.
The Industrial Revolution affected farming, manufacturing, and legislatives and led to a increase in the wealth and prosperity of the countries in which it occurred..
The formation of unions helped workers of similar nature band together and demand better wages for their work. Many workers went on-strike, demanding higher wages, but living paycheck to paycheck it was difficult to weather out an entire strike. With the onset of industrialization and the automation of many factory jobs, the amount of jobs available decreased and further dumbed down the jobs, requiring less education to operate effectively, and further increasing the market for competition. Immigrants just wanted to sustain a good job that can make them enough money to support their family and live comfortably, but had a tough time being affluent in America while working wage-labor shifts in poor working
Soon other lines followed throughout the country. Railroads affected almost every aspect of American life. The rapid spread of the railroads provided the basis for a tremendous westward movement of population. It also carried raw material to, and finish product from factories to consumers in a more efficient way (The USA online, n.d.). The railways became highly profitable business for their owners.
In addition, during economic development, the structure of the labor force changed. For instance, preference for white collar jobs was prominent among a labor force that had previously been mostly blue collar. The economy of America as a nation became more industry and service oriented. In addition, the manpower needs and requirements were transformed.
It was not until 1902 that things really turned around. Unions formed to fight for workers and child laborers.
Labor contracts and new laws, regulations, and policies established a more open employment system, procedures for addressing complaints, and safer working environments. One of the most important outcomes is that workers gained a clear democratic voice in determining
Between 1865 and 1920, industrialization caused significant changes in many people’s lives. First, the development of a new railroad system help settle the west and made it more accessible to people. Second, public transit systems in big cities provided an outlet from congested cities. Last, the discovery of a method for transmitting electricity helped to light up our daily lives. I feel that these are three of the most important changes in people’s lives caused by industrialization.
The Working class that made up around 80% of society had little or no bargaining power with their employers resulting in the continuation of unfair working hours, bad wages, and unsanitary and hazardous working conditions. The workers could not even fight for their rights in the political system as only the rich were eligible to vote.
Technological innovations and early factories: the pressure to produce more goods for the growing market and reduce labor costs of manufacturing was directly rated to the first decisive breakthrough of the industrial revolution. Also, some technological
Once the factory became common, technological advances were soon made to improve them, the most important of which was the division of labor.