I-3 Flashcards
Describe the working conditions faced by the factory workers in the late 1800’s.
long hrs (12 hrs, 6 days a week)> small hat, dark workhouses or sweatshops
Describe the dangers faced by the factory workers in the late 1800’s.
work spaces> poorly lit, often overheated, badly ventilated
Accidents> faulty equipment, lack of proper training
Some workers lost their hearing> noisy machines
Why were children put to work by their parents?
Kept them off the streets, close to their parents, children could earn wages
Why were women, children, immigrants, and minorities the ideal factory workers, from the ownership perspective?
owners could pay them less
How did ‘company towns’ help to create ‘wages slavery for many working families?
Company sold store goods on credit but charged high interest> by the time workers received wages most of the income was owed back to the employer- workers could be arrested if they left their jobs before they repaid their loans
Hosing owned by employer
‘Company stores> workers forced to buy goods
Why did most Americans reject the ides in the Communist Manifesto?
The idea> threatened American ideals- free enterprise, private property, individual liberty
The wealthy> threatened their fortunes
Used to support social reform
How did the Knights of Labor and the AFL differ in their goals
Knights of Labor> aimed for broad social reform for workers
AFL> aimed for specific workers’ issues- wages, working hours, working conditions
Why did workers begin to stage strikes & protests in the late 1800’s?
They sought the most efficient tactic to win labor gains
Why were employers generally opposed to labor unions?
Haymarket Square, Collected Bargaining, Threatened profits
Why did the major strikes of the late 1800’s lead to a backlash against labor units?
Many strikes led to riots & widespread disruption of services. Employers & the public associated labor unions with violence
What general trend followed the major strikes of the late 1800’s?
Employers appealed frequently for court orders against unions> the government regularly approved these appeals- denied unions recognition as legally protected organizations, limited union gains for more than 30 years
