Workers Gilded Age

Question 1

Positive- Growth

Answer 1

Growth in demand for workers allowed unions to grow 20,000 in 1881 to 70,000 in 1886

Question 2

Positive- 1886

Answer 2

Establishment of first national labour federation the AFL, sought to link all unions

Question 3

Positive- businesses

Answer 3

Some businesses willing to establish mechanisms by which businesses and workers could negotiate

Question 4

Positive- Wages

Answer 4

Wages rose dramatically. Some skilled workers increased by 60%

Question 5

Negative- growing demand

Answer 5

May have encouraged industrial militancy and strikes. E.g Haymarket Affair 1886

Question 6

Negative- Slump

Answer 6

Eco slump meant unemployment, job insecurity and reduction of wages

Question 7

Negative- Laissez faire

Answer 7

Lack of protection meant workers could be laid off and that workers had to work long hours + dangerous conditions. E.g 2,000 rail workers killed 1888

Question 8

Negative- increase of mechanisation

Answer 8

Led to decline for skilled workers

Question 9

Negative- divisions

Answer 9

Skilled V unskilled,
White V AA and immigrants
Meant they could be exploited by employers