Labor Unions & Big Business

I have also shared a pdf file with you entitled Labor Unions. Using this reading and your textbook, complete the following assignment and post it on your blog by 8:20 a.m. Monday, Sept. 21. Title: Labor Unions & Big Business Labels: Labor, Industrial_Age

•Identify each of the following events or people. Give an explanation or description of the item. Answer the questions who, what, where, and when.
•Explain the historical significance of each item in the space provided. Establish the historical context in which the item exists. Establish the item as the result of or as the cause of other factors existing in the society under study. Answer this question: What were the political, social, economic, and/or cultural consequences of this item?

the Knights of Labor
a. Identification
The Knights of Labor was an organization founded in 1860. It was a labor union formed in Pennsylvania. They believed the resolution to conflict was to have every laborer work for themselves.
b. Significance
The historical significance, and also another aspect of the organization, was that they allowed blacks and women to be a part of the union. Also it shows that people were begining to take an initiative in their work.

the Haymarket riot
a. Identification
The Haymarket riot occured may 4th 1886. During this time, mass strikes and demonstrations were taking place. Labor groups were rallied at Haymarket square when anarchists set a bomb off close to the rally.
b. Significance
The historical significance of this event was that in the times afterward a fear of radicalism was developed. People began to feel that they were in a time of crisis and the law was not helping.

the American Federation of Labor
a. Identification
The AFL was a union who supported industrialism and worked with it to better wages and hours. They were led by Samuel Gompers.
b. Significance
The significance is that once again we get insight into the working conditions of the 18oos, though it is not explicit in what they are we get an idea.

Samuel Gompers
a. Identification
He headed the cigar makers union and the AFL.
b. Significance
He led one of the largest labor unions.

the Homestead strike
a. Identification
The homestead strike was right after the haymarket riot. it began because the company president Henry Clay Frick began to cut wages.
b. Significance
shows the anger and frustration of the people over the economy and wage cuts.

the Pullman strike
a. Identification
The 1994 Pullman strike was initiated because Pullman would not negotiate wages with the workers. To save his company he would cut wages to a minimum.
b. Significance
The significance of this was another example of Social Darwinism in the time. taking from the "little guy" to support your wallet.

Eugene V. Debs
a. Identification
Led the union and offered to aid the workers in the strike against the Pullman company. He was later jailed for defying the court injunction.
b. Significance
His effort shows the devotion labor union leaders had towards their cause.

the Industrial Workers of the World
a. Identification
Established in chicago in 1905. they advocated the overthrow of the wage system and putting workers in charge of their own salary.
b. Significance
their morals were very similiar to tbe Knights.