1. LABOR ORGANIZATION AND POWER Can Americans still value capitalism while empowering workers? The first attempts to address problems of industrialization

2. WHY WERE AMERICANS SO COMMITTED TO LAISSEZ FAIRE ECONOMICS? Consider: founding ideals, U.S. desire to differ from Europe…

3. Origins of Unions Trade Unions Workers’ Unions AFL Workers organized by profession then as workers across industries then across the country. Originated as guilds then secret societies. Soon required government support to exist (not received until 1898)

4. Difficulties of Organizing Labor [From about 1860 until 1910, at least] Fear of losing jobs if joined union Unwillingness to strike because of loss of pay Public denounced unions as anti-capitalist Strategies like boycotts and strikes disrupt life for the public (consumers) as well as company owners. The Press and government frequently supported companies over workers. Labor organizers stigmatized by fear of socialism.

5. Effects of Immigration Immigrants undermined union demand for higher wages Provide Scab labor Immigrants attracted by the de-skilling of jobs as technology advanced Immigration allowed companies to rely on unskilled, low- paid workers 1885 Congress disallows contract labor (immigrants to come to America under contract to a company)

6. FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING SLIDES What do you learn about the strike? Does the creator of the image provide support for the workers or reveal sympathy for the company owners/capitalists?

7. Haymarket Strike Chicago, 1886

8. Haymarket-1886 May 4 th 1886 Rally for workers in support of 8-hour day Bomb thrown at police as they tried to disperse crowd Ensuing gunfire resulted in death of 7 policemen and at least 4 civilians 8 anarchists convicted of conspiracy despite no evidence tying them to the thrower of the bomb Newspapers cover the event in the context of union actions

9. Homestead Strike Caption: The mob assailing the Pinkerton men on their Way to prison.

10. Homestead Strike (1892) June 30-July 6 th Workers locked out of steel factory Frick hired Pinkerton detectives to protect scab labor Union struck and chased Pinkerton detectives from factory Governor sent in militia to break up strike 4 strike organizers prosecuted Union (Amalgamated Steel) broke up soon after, partially because Afof L refused to support.

11. Pullman Strike

12. Pullman Strike 1894 American Railway Union (ARU) v. Pullman Co., and U.S. gov’t Began May 11, eventually involved 250,000 workers in 27 states Troops sent in when strikers disobeyed court order to end strike and boycott 30 strikers killed Most public opinion and media coverage against the strike

13. Ludlow Strike Tent camp for Strikers at Ludlow Mine in Colorado

14. Ludlow Strike 1914 Rockefeller-owned mine and oil well in Colorado Strike called for better wages, conditions and union recognition 14-hour face off between strikers and management State militia called in and torched tent camp Rockefeller testifies that miners had not complained of conditions By 1915, Rockefeller goes to miner camps

15. Fears of Labor Tactics As you watch this video about the men punished for the bombing at Haymarket, respond to these questions: 1. Why were industrialists’ fears of revolution understandable? 2. Explain how industrialists believed their right to property was under threat. Consequences of Haymarket

16. Cities Become a Forum As urbanization expanded and more people moved into cities, the unions had opportunities to gain sympathy and to recruit supporters. Laws protecting workers’ rights to organize began in 1898 but inconsistently supported until the 1930s.

17. Review Questions Why was labor organization difficult in the 19 th century? What impact did immigration have on the power of unions? How did strikes hurt the labor movement? Since the federal government could only get involved in business matters involving interstate trade, what justification did state and local governments have to get involved?