Labor Unions during Industrial Revolution Flashcards
Who was the Natonal Labor Union?
Started 1866; lasted 6 years
excluded chinese, blacks, women
worked for arbitration of industrial disputes and eight hour workdays
occured near the end for government workers but the depression of 1873 knocked it out
Who were the Knights of Labor?
1869-1881
secret organization
similar to naitonal labor union
prevented liquor dealers, professional gamblers, bnkers, lawyers, and stockholders from joining
campained for social and ethnic reform
Led by Terence Powderly, they won numerous strikes for eight hour day
Successfully striked against Gould’s Wabash RR in 1885
Membership mushroomed to 3/4 mill after Gould’s successful strike
Involved in numerous MayDay strikes that half failed
May 4, 1886 Haymarket bombing in Chicago lowered their popularity
What was the American Federation of Labor?
Founded by Samuel Gompers in 1886
association of self governing nation, each of which kept hteir independence
wanted better wages, hours, working conditions
It tried to speak for all workers but fell short
What was the Colored National Labor Union?
Colored organization in 1860s
From _ to _, there were over _ strkes involving _ number of workers and a total loss of _ million dollars to workers and employers.
1881 1900 23,000 6,610,000 450
What precent of workers did Labor Unions embrace?
3%
When did companies start to give into Labor Union demands and what is one example?
by 1900
Labor day started in 1894
What was the main reason for Labor unions to start up?
immigrants were coming to the US htat would work for low wages in bad enviorments and could easily replace American workers
What were corperation’s weapons for strikes?
hire strikebreakers
asking courts to order strikers to stop striking
brought in troops
brought in scabs (replacements/lockouts) to starve strikers into submission
What did workers often have to sign promising they would not join a Labor Union?
ironclad oaths
yellow dog contacts
