Expansion of American Industry

The Great Strikes1860 - 1900

Socialism

• Began in 1830’s in Europe• Later developed by Karl

Marx and Friedrich Engels

• Economic & Political philosophy that favors social (public) control of income and property

American Socialism

• As the gulf between the rich and poor widened, people turned to Socialism

• Most Americans rejected socialism and chose to join the unions.

Early Labor Unions

• The Knights of Labor– Wanted equal pay, 8 hour workday, an end to child

labor– Used strikes that led to violence

• The American Federation of Labor– Wanted shorter hours, better wages and conditions– African Americans, women and children not welcome

because they drove wages down– Used strikes, boycotts, collective bargaining

Employer’s Reaction to Unions

Employers preferred to deal with the individual rather than a group

Tried to stop unions and:

-Forbade union meetings

-Fired union organizers

-Refused to collectively bargain

-Refused to recognize union representatives

• Strikes, Boycotts and Violence eventually led to changes in favor of employees

The Railroad Strike of 1877

Began in July when the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad companies announced wage cuts.

Companies also began using ‘double headers’.

Workers began rioting in Pittsburgh, Chicago, St. Louis and other cities.

President Hayes sent in the military to quell the riot.

From then on, employers relied on federal assistance to break strikes and cease unrest.

Haymarket Strike 1886 On May 1, 1886 riots erupted demanding an 8 hour

workday.

On May 3, Police broke up a fight between scabs and strikers.

On May 4, strikers held a protest rally.

Someone threw a bomb at the police, killing 7.

Gunfire between police and strikers commenced, killing dozens more.

8 anarchists were tried for murder.

Homestead Strike 1892

In the summer of 1892, Henry Frick (Carnegie’s partner) tried to cut wages.

The union in Homestead, PA went on strike.

Frick called in 300 Pinkertons to squash the strikers.

Gunfight erupted killing several on both sides.

The assassination attempt on Frick soured the public view of unions and strikers.

The strike ended in November 1892.

Pullman Strike 1894

In May 1894, George Pullman cut wages after the panic of 1893.

By June 1894, 120,000 railway workers were on strike.

The strike affected mail delivery so the government became involved.

Attorney General Richard Olney obtained a court order forcing the strike to end.

Strike represents a shift in federal involvement in strikes.

Early Labor Unions

Early unions were called trade unions because members all performed the same specific trade.

Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers (1794)

Philadelphians in 1827 took the labor movement to the next level.

Several craftspeople joined to form one citywide union.

Unions virtually disappear during Civil War but reemerged on the national level.

The Knights of Labor

Formed in Philadelphia in 1869.

Its goal was to organize skilled and unskilled workers.

Desired reforms such as equal pay for equal work, 8- hour workday, and an end to child labor.

Knights resorted to the strike tactic. Some were successful but violence weakened membership.

The American Federation of Labor

Formed in 1886 by Samuel Gompers.

Organization based on the skilled worker. The union was then divided into smaller trade specific unions.

Reforms focused on shorter hours, better wages and conditions.

African Americans, women and children were not welcome because they drove wages down.

Union used strikes, boycotts, collective bargaining and closed shops.