How Successful Was Organized Labor in Improving the Position of Workers in the Period from 1875-1900? Analyze the Factors That Contributed to the Level of Success Achieved.

The notion that a free African American and a slaveowner could be “equal persons” in itself was considered blasphemy in the antebellum South, however today it is seen as a basic facet of life: it is against the laws of nature for a person to own another living person. With this fact in mind, there should be no reason as to why an African American and a white person cannot be equal today, despite the fact that modern political racism can deny rights based on reasons that have never been a problem with whites guilty of the same alleged problem. Once again, the

8. In what way do the above documents on labor union membership and the Knights of Labor philosophy reflect concerns of J.P. Morgan? The chart shows the rising number of workers, but an unstable number of union members,

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 employers declared their opposition to these Boycotts by saying that were “un-american and anti-american”, and then they went turned to courts against the Unions. The most successful labor union, Knights of Labor was established in 1869 in Philadelphia. The Knights believed in a government determined by the people and production determined by the workers. Labor reform was one of the key objectives of the Knights of Labor. To the Gilded age labor reformers the debasement of politics and society rested in part on the capacity of the rich to corrupt governments in their own self interests. They Knights said that, “We declare an inevitable and irresistible conflict between the wage system of labor and republican system of government” (Rosenzweig,Pg 95-96). Knights of Labor extended their memberships to all of the working-class instead of just limiting to “skilled workers”. They broke the norm from other labor movements by including women, African Americans, Mexicans in their movements, who were previously shut out of the labor movement. While in some states, the Knights held combined assemblies where the Black and the White workers joined forces in demonstrations, some other places held separate assemblies and this garnered criticizm from some the skilled African American laborers(Rosenzweig, Pg 97). The knights excluded non producers such as lawyers, bankers, speculators, and

Labor unions in the late 1800's set out to improve the lives of frequently abused workers. Volatile issues like the eight-hour workday, ridiculously low pay and unfair company town practices were often the fuses that lit explosive conflicts between unions and monopolistic industrialists. Some of the most violent and important conflicts of the time were the Haymarket Affair and the Pullman strike. Each set out to with similar goals and both ended with horrifying consequences.

Industrial workers rebelled to industrialization by forming labor unions. The Knights of labor was a union group the formed in 1869. The Knights of Labor accepted all producers, including women and African-Americans. The Constitution of The Knights of Labor states, “To secure the toilers a proper share of the wealth that they create; more of the leisure that rightfully belongs to them…”

In the late 1800s/early 1900s, many men, woman and children were forced to work long hours for low pay in dangerous working conditions. With little to no education, many workers had few other options but too continue working in these conditions. During these times labor unions started to become more and more popular. Through bargaining tactics such as strikes, sit-ins, boycotts, etc., these labor unions were successful in bargaining for higher wages, shorter worker hours and better working conditions for many of their members. Had I have been a worker during these times, the Knights of Labor would

Labor unions date to the 19th century.  The three labor unions were created  to improve work life in the factories. Workers had long hours, poor conditions and low wages; while their employers enjoyed vast wealth.  Labor unions are groups of workers and employees who bond together to get safer working conditions, better wages, and reasonable hours.  Most famous union is the American Federation of labor (AFL), founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers.  Labor unions protect the rights of workers in specific industries.  Labor unions tend to be more common in manufacturing, mining, construction, transportation, and the public sector.  Labor unions have been around for a long time.  The earlier unions were called craft unions, consisting of members who worked in the same trade such as carpenters and printers.  Working people need to earn enough to support their families; good wages are a part of that, so are health care, paid sick leave and other rights that make sure that working people can do their jobs and take care of their families.

In the United States history, the Gilded Age was the period in the late 19th century where the country experienced rapid economic growth. During this period, the U.S. became one of the leading industrial nations. It was able to build a powerful navy that dominated the world and acquired the enormous overseas empire. The Gilded Age was also a very important time in the labour history of the United States. It was a period of horrible labour violence between industrialists and workers who fought over various labour issues such as wages and control of the workplace. At this time, workers organised themselves to form the first and largest labour union of the time – the American Labour Union. Even after the workers formed this union, the employers were determined to end the union hence causing a lot of conflicts. One of the highlights of the labour struggles in the Gilded Age was the Pullman strike of 1893. This strike had dire consequences for both the workers and the employers. Many were killed, others injured and the leaders of the union imprisoned for contempt of court. This paper shall look into some of the reasons why the workers found it difficult to achieve economic and political power and how their activism was limited. Ultimately, the strict control by capitalists and government limited the workers ability to fight successfully for better terms of employment.

In the United States history, the Gilded Age was the period in the late 19th century where the country experienced rapid economic growth. During this period, the U.S. became one of the leading industrial nations. It was able to build a powerful navy that dominated the world and acquired the enormous overseas empire. The Gilded Age was also a very important time in the labour history of the United States. It was a period of horrible labour violence between industrialists and workers who fought over various labour issues such as wages and control of the workplace. At this time, workers organised themselves to form the first and largest labour union of the time – the American Labour Union. Even after the workers formed this union, the employers were determined to end the union hence causing a lot of conflicts. One of the highlights of the labour struggles in the Gilded Age was the Pullman strike of 1893. This strike had dire consequences for both the workers and the employers. Many were killed, others injured and the leaders of the union imprisoned for contempt of court. This paper shall look into some of the reasons why the workers found it difficult to achieve economic and political power and how their activism was limited. Ultimately, the strict control by capitalists and government limited the workers ability to fight successfully for better terms of employment.

530) This organization became “the most important union of the late nineteenth century” (A. 530) for many positive influences, but more importantly for taking the biggest blow to their movement from the violence in Haymarket Square, Chicago on May 4, 1886. Though the Knights originally protested during this time against the McCormick reaper works, they had already arranged an agreement and were not responsible for a bomb going off that killed four strikers. Unfortunately the Knights took a major step backward when the incident happened and never truly

In 1881, a rival to the Knights of Labor was created. The American Federation of Labor (AFL) was based on a very different philosophy then the Knights. A big difference was that instead of representing all workers, the AFL mainly represented specifically skilled workers. The AFL did not like the idea of women working, but believed that those who do should have equal pay as the men. The relationship between labor and management was important to the AFL, and they were not afraid use strikes if it were needed.

Because of a lack of clear organization of these labor unions, a rather unfavorable notion stained the public perception of various groups. As depicted in Frank Leslie 's Illustrated Newspaper, the label of “anarchist” was associated with labor unions, and specifically, the Knights of Labor. ( Document F) Quite obviously, this group was viewed as a bunch of rabble-rousers and very violent. This most certainly did not help the popularity and success of labor unions because this negative connotation lead to the downfall of this once very popular labor group. For example, in Chicago, a demonstration by the Knights of Labor turned into the Haymarket Square Riot and lead to the death of a group of police officers. The term “riot” practically labels the group as destructive and uncivil and therefore made them looked down upon by the public. A non-existent group certainly can not make the changes they set out to do in the first place! In another revolt in

The reality is that historic, legal efforts long restricted the economic lives of minorities. Restricted the kind of work they could do. Restricted their membership in unions. Restricted their access to education and training. Restricted their opportunity in the private sector world of product sales and client services. Restrictions which most white Americans, if they are even aware of them, do not seem to understand the extent of, the persistence of, or the long-standing consequences of -- at all. And, of course, the economic

Unions began forming in the mid of 19th century in response to the Industrial Revolution. The National Labor Union began to form in the post- Civil War Era. One of the major force emerged in the late of 1880’s was the Knights of Labor, which collapsed for the reason of weak organization.