1. Industrialization Looking closer at the working conditions

2. Industrialization Many people were making a low wage, and they had to work very hard to earn itMany people were making a low wage, and they had to work very hard to earn it Working conditions on the assembly line were harsh and unsafe. Workers performed simple, unskilled, repetitive tasks over and over againWorking conditions on the assembly line were harsh and unsafe. Workers performed simple, unskilled, repetitive tasks over and over again Many worked 60 hour weeks on specialized machinery in unhealthy conditionsMany worked 60 hour weeks on specialized machinery in unhealthy conditions

3. Industrialization During the late 1800s, men, women, and children went to the factoriesDuring the late 1800s, men, women, and children went to the factories Many workers could be fired at any time for an accident or trying to be a part of a labor union and some died on the job from the brutal conditionsMany workers could be fired at any time for an accident or trying to be a part of a labor union and some died on the job from the brutal conditions

4. Industrialization Children as young as 7 or 8 would go to work in a factory for up to 14 hours at a time for as little as 60 cents a day for 6 days a week because they had to make moneyChildren as young as 7 or 8 would go to work in a factory for up to 14 hours at a time for as little as 60 cents a day for 6 days a week because they had to make money The gov’t did not want to get involved as they wanted big business to grow. They followed a policy known as Laissez-Faire: Non Interference. They let the abuses continue in the factories.The gov’t did not want to get involved as they wanted big business to grow. They followed a policy known as Laissez-Faire: Non Interference. They let the abuses continue in the factories.

5. Industrialization Despite these horrible conditions, many immigrants came to the United States looking to work in these factoriesDespite these horrible conditions, many immigrants came to the United States looking to work in these factories Immigrants came to the U.S. to escape hunger, poverty, and a corrupt government. They also came for jobs, land, a better life, and stories they heard of how good America wasImmigrants came to the U.S. to escape hunger, poverty, and a corrupt government. They also came for jobs, land, a better life, and stories they heard of how good America was The 1880s saw half a million immigrants arrive in the U.S. every yearThe 1880s saw half a million immigrants arrive in the U.S. every year

6. Industrialization With an endless supply of workers, factories kept hiring these immigrants to work for themWith an endless supply of workers, factories kept hiring these immigrants to work for them This time period was known as the Gilded Age: “The Glamour hid the Corruption”This time period was known as the Gilded Age: “The Glamour hid the Corruption”

7. Industrialization

8. Industrialization How did the workers fight back against the owners?How did the workers fight back against the owners? Labor Union: Workers organized as a group to seek higher wages, improved working conditions, and obtain other benefitsLabor Union: Workers organized as a group to seek higher wages, improved working conditions, and obtain other benefits More workers became interested in unionsMore workers became interested in unions

9. Industrialization Knights of Labor (1869): A labor union that welcomed all workers and fought for an 8 hour workday and an end to child laborKnights of Labor (1869): A labor union that welcomed all workers and fought for an 8 hour workday and an end to child labor American Federation of Labor (1886): Fought for immediate goals such as better wages and working conditions, and shorter hoursAmerican Federation of Labor (1886): Fought for immediate goals such as better wages and working conditions, and shorter hours

10. Industrialization What happened when the labor union couldn’t get results?What happened when the labor union couldn’t get results? Workers went on strike! They stopped workingWorkers went on strike! They stopped working Rarely they worked, but often they ended in violence and sometimes death because the gov’t wouldn’t support themRarely they worked, but often they ended in violence and sometimes death because the gov’t wouldn’t support them

11. Industrialization Who were these great business owners? (Robber Barons)Who were these great business owners? (Robber Barons) Andrew Carnegie: SteelmakerAndrew Carnegie: Steelmaker John Rockefeller: Oil RefiningJohn Rockefeller: Oil Refining J.P. Morgan: BankingJ.P. Morgan: Banking Henry Ford: Automobiles (assembly line)Henry Ford: Automobiles (assembly line)