TUs Gilded Age Flashcards
Negative view
Rich capitalists exploited labour to get richer and wealth inequality grew.
Government sided with capital at the expense of labour, colluding in corrupt practices, discrimination and exploitation.
Increasing inequality
It was a period of increasing inequality and poverty for many in the workforce, with 2% of the population owning 30% of the wealth
Skilled and unskilled disparity
Huge disparity between skilled and unskilled workers -unskilled workers made around 30% of what skilled workers made
Skilled workers decline
The demand for skilled workers declined because of the increase in mechanisation
Contract system
The use of the ‘contract system’ meant that workers could be laid of during quiet periods
Rail worker accidents
In 1889 there were 2000 rail workers killed in accidents
Courts considered employer negligence as a normal risk borne by the employee until the 1890s
Violence of strikes
The violence of strikes, which began with the Haymarket Affair of 1886, did much to damage the reputation of the KOL and its membership collapsed
Initially 8 policemen and 8 workers killed, then 7 sent to the gallows for orchestrating the strike
Slump in the economy
The slump in the economy at the end of the 1880s weakened the position of workers as there as unemployment, job insecurity and a reduction in wages
Divisions in the workforce
The workforce was divided between white, skilled workers, who made up most of the unions, and African Americans, but this division was exacerbated by the arrival of new immigrants from Europe and Asia
There were fears that these new arrivals would increase the available workforce and result in a reduction in wages
Unions would not allow either the African Americans or new immigrants to join
Government policy
The government’s laissez faire policy encouraged large corporations and meant that there was no protective legislation for the workforce
Court action
The courts also supported the employers and issued injunctions to end strikes
In re Debs (1895) ruled that the federal government had a right to issue injunctions against strikers
Pinkerton influence
Pinkerton agent James Mcparland was hired by Franklin B. Gowen, to go undercover against the Molly Maguires in 1875 where he became a trusted member of the organisation
His testimony was integral in sending ten men to the gallows
Presidents
Protective legislation was lacking from “do-nothing” presidents
Ethnic divisions
Ethnic divisions remained ever-present in the union movement - National Negro Labor Union not allowed in other unions
Massachusetts lack of progress
In the state of Massachusetts, perhaps the most advanced state in the Union in the realm of labor reform, legislative leaders were unable muster popular support for comprehensive factory reform until the end of the 1880
Great Railroad Strike
Great Railroad Strike of 1877 crushed by President Hayes using federal troops
Collapsed in 45 days
Calvin Pardee Strike
1897, workers struck the Calvin Pardee Company, using among other tactics the time-honored resistance mode of a protest march.
The sheriff and deputies fired on the strikers, immediately killing 25
The lawmen were tried and acquitted.
The strikers were immigrants from Eastern Europe
Homestead Strike
1892 Homestead Strike - 9 workers killed in clashes with 300 Pinkertons (7 detectives killed)
8000 state militiamen called in, ended steel unions in Pennsylvania by 1900
Pullman Strike
1894 Pullman Strike brought to a standstill by Cleveland’s federal troops despite having over 125,000 involved
Mixed view
Some workers benefited from increased employment, wages, standard of living and diversification of work opportunities.
However, for many workers, particularly the unskilled, immigrants, ethnic minorities, the poorest and women (at least some) these benefits were not shared.
Mixed economic gains
Organised labour, having seen some gains when the economy grew in the period from 1860 to 1880, lost the gains made when economic slumps set in
Positive view
The economic growth of this period (7% p.a.) created positive opportunities for workers, and created the possibility of wealth creation and social mobility, even for recent immigrants and minority groups.
Trade Union membership grew rapidly which gave workers more possibility of negotiating for their rights.
Wage increases
Wages (particularly for skilled workers) rose dramatically, with an increase of some 60%, despite a rapid rise in the available workforce caused by immigration
Rise of industry
The increase in transport and heavy industry created an increase in demand for labour
American heavy industry overtook that of Britain, which had been the world’s leading producer of industrial goods
The number of craft-orientated unions grew
Knights of Labour growth
Unions such as the Knights of Labour saw a rapid growth in membership, which went from 20,000 in 1881 to 700,000 in 1886 and included both women and African Americans
AFL success
The American Federation of Labor was established in 1886 and was the first successful national labour federation
It sought to link all unions
Political influence of unions
Unions were able to extend their influence into politics at both a national and local level
Sickness clubs
Some sickness clubs, to which workers contributed so that they had some income if they were ill, were established but compensation was limited
Wealthy reinvestment
Wealthy industrialists reinvested a lot of their profits into social welfare projects, education and culture
Successful Wabash strike
In 1885, there was a successful strike at Wabash Railroad which forced Jay Gould to change his anti-union stance
General loss of life
1881-1900, 35k a year killed in accidents at work
Patterns of striking
No fewer than 100,000 went on strike each year; in 1892 1,298 strikes took place
Rise of immigration
1870-1900, 12 million. Mainly from European countries such as Ireland, Germany and Italy, but also from Asian countries such as China
Working conditions
Workers had few rights. Shifts could be as long as 12 hours, often under hazardous and harmful conditions. Children as young as 8 worked in coal mines.
Sherman Antitrust Act
1890, prohibited anti-competitive behaviour in business. Used by the court from 1894-1932 to issue injunctions to break strikes. Supreme Court allowed this.
South and North
It was easier to unionise cities in the North where all workers were together, than the rural areas of the South where they were more spread out.
