GILDED AGE LABOUR * Flashcards
What was the National Union League?
National Union League formed 1866, William H Sylvis of Iron Moulders International Union. Wanted 8 hour day, no child labour, federal labour department, reduced immigration, welcomed women, encouraged black members to join other unions. 1866-7 failed strike, 1868 300,000 members, Sylvis died in 1869 ending NUL.
Who were the Knights of Labour?
Knights of Labour, KOL, founded 1869 by Uriah Smith Stephens. 1879 Terence V Powderly leader. Wanted 8 hour day, equal gender pay, end to racial discrimination, 1881 20,000 members. 1885 action at Wabash railroad as Jay Gould took anti-union action, 700,000 members by 1886 including 50,000 AAs. Haymarket Affair ruined KOL.
What was the American Federation of Labour?
American Federation of Labour, AFL, set Dec 1866 by Samuel Gompers. Wanted 8 hour day, using skilled workers to negotiate, and utilising strikes/boycotts for legislation. 1914 2 million members, but minority of workers in AFL and unions in AFL retained independence, ie- Teamsters.
Who were Industrial Workers of the World?
Industrial Workers of the World : set in 1905, Chicago. Defended poor and illiterate workers such as immigrants, appealed to western miners. 1923 had 100,000 members. Used violence and sabotage, divides ruined it by 1924.
What were economic issues of Gilded Age?
In late 19th century Chinese and Japanese workers moved to America. They could work 16 hours for low wages creating competition, so trade unions excluded them preventing solidarity.
America was in grip of economic depression in 1880s-90s leading to increased industrial action as workers were laid off, as seen with the 1894 Pullman Strike.
How did industry change during the Gilded Age?
Gilded Age : Industrialisation led to unskilled workforce rising from 885,000 in 1865 to 3.2 million by 1900. There were divides between the craft unions and skilled workers, and the excluded unskilled workers. 1/3 of those on railroads common labourers with hazardous conditions in steel mills, and children working in coal mines. 1889 2000 deaths on railways. Negligible aid received.
What was the 1866 Haymarket Affair?
1866 Haymarket Affair : May 1886 police opened fire at McCormick Harvester Plant, Chicago. Next day protest rally at Haymarket Square, bomb killed 7 police so 4 strikers killed. Haymarket Affair blamed on foreign conspiracy with German anarchists Johann Most and August Spies blamed. Hostility to new immigrants.
What were key events of the 1877 Great Railroad Strike?
Great Railroad Strike 1877: 1873 depression led to 25% unemployment, 16 June 1877 B&O in Martinsburg West Virginia announced 10% wage cuts, workers refused to run trains. Rutherford Hayes eventually pushed to use federal troops. 59/200 of militia at Maryland showed, public solidarity. After 3 weeks strike ended with 100 dead. Showed potency of labour force.
What were results of the Great Railroad Strike?
Results: Eugene Debs and other labour leaders inspired to negotiatie with employers, employers increasingly wary of workers and fired unionised workers. 1884 Bureau of Labour and 1887 Interstate Commerce Act reduced corporation power.
What was the cause of the 1892 Homestead Strike?
1892 Homestead Strike: Dispute in Homestead, Pennsylvania. Amalgated Association of Iron and Steel Workers and Carnegie Steel Company were divided. AA in 1882 had strike to prevent force of contracts, 1 July 1889 negotiations for three year collective bargaining failed.
What were key events of the 1892 Homestead Strike? (July)
Workers shut out for 143 days and replacement workers brought, Henry Frick stabbed. Battle between strikers and Pinkerton National Detective Agency. Membership of union fell from 24,000 in 1891 to 10,000 1894 and employers reluctant to recognise unions. Carnegie steel not unionised for 40 years.
What was the background of the 1894 Pullman Strike?
Background; 1893 America in depression, George Pullman of Pullman Palace Car Company cut wages 25% and laid off 1/3 of workers, could no longer afford to live in industry-owned town in Chicago. Attempts at negotiation led to firings. The American Railway Union, ARU, was formed by Eugene Debs 2 years prior. Trains hit standstill, ARU refused to operate trains with Pullman carriages under Deb’s encouragement.
How was the 1894 Pullman Strike ended?
Attorney-General ruled against interfering with mail movement and passenger trains pulled mail cars. 3 July 1894 President Cleveland used troops, 2 Aug – despite ARU’s commitment to end strike, workers weren’t given back jobs. Company owners resisted collective bargaining and Supreme Court legalised injunctions.
