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Economics Timeline
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Noble Order of the Knighs of Labor (1869-1900)
The labor union group was started by Philadelphia garment workers in 1869. Farmers, merchants, and wage earners could join it. This group wanted equal pay for equal work, no matter what gender, The abolition of child labor, and 8 hour work days. -
Labor Day Holiday Created
Labor Day was created in 1883. Its purpose was to give thanks and rememberence for all the workers in the U.S. It started in NYC. -
American Federation of Labor (AFL)
The American Federation of Labor was a labor union that was organized in 1886. They focsed on better working conditions and better pay. They also wanted the Union labels on produced items. They were craft oriented, -
Haymarket Square Riot
This riot happened in the year of 1886 in Chicago. Workers marched for an 8 hour day protest for McComick Havesting machine. Police eventially broke it up; 8 policemen and hundreds of protesters were killed. The Anarchists were blamed for the violence, but after this, the public veiwed the Union and Anarchists as the problem. -
"How the Other Half Lives: Studies of the Tenements of New York"
"How the Other Half Lives" was an early publication of photojournalism by Jacob Riis. This piece was about the bad living conditions in the tenements of New York during the 1880's. It put a whole new look on the poor and what they had to live with. -
The Homestead Strike
This was one of the most serious stikes in labor history. It involved the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers (the AA) and the Carnegies Steel Company. The strike happened in Homestead, Pennsylvania (Near Pittsburgh). The ending result was a failure for the Union. -
The Pullman Strike
This striked happened in the company built town of Pullman. Owner, George M. Pullman, had raised his rent price but lowered the workers pay. Outraged, the workers went on a strike so big, it spanded into 27 different states. No railroad workers were working there, so that meant that all transportation between Chicago and the West was gone. Evencially, a militia got involved and the strikers were arrested. -
The Coal Strike
This strike was started by the United Mine Workers of America in Pennsylvania coal mines. The strike threated to shut down the winter water supply. So President T. Rooselvelt got involved. He resolved it so the workers got payed more and the strike stoped. This was the first time the federal government got involved. -
"The Jungle"
"The Jungle" was written by muckraker Upton Sinclair and published in 1905. The book was about filthy conditions of the meat packing industry in Chicago during that time. This book, along with many others, helped to get the government to pass laws for the better quality of working and food. -
"The Bitter Cry of Children"
"The Bitter Cry of Children" was a piece written by John Spargo in 1906. This piece was about the extremly hard and dangerous condititons of children's work in coal mines. It helped to get laws passed against child labor. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
This act was created on June 6th, 1906. It was a federal law that provided federal inspetion of meat products. It also forbade the manufacture, sale, or transportation of adulterated food products and poisonous patent medicines. -
Triangle Shirt Factory Fire
This event happend in New York when the Triangle Shirt Factory caught fire. The owner had locked all the doors and stairways so the workers inside would keep working. So, when the fire started, there was no escape. Around 150 workers died from the fire or jumping out the windows. -
Congress of Industrial Organization (1935-1955)
The Congress of Industrial Organization was a labor union formed in 1935. It was part of the AFL until 1935. They focused on industrial lines instead of craft lines which was the reason it split from the AFL. Finally, it regenerated back into AFL in 1955. -
The National Labor Relations Act, 1935 (Wagner Act)
This act was created in 1935. This act was pro labor. With this law, the National Labor Relations Board was created. It also gave the power to punish unfair labor practices. -
GM SIt-Down Strike
This was a protest that involved the owners and workers of GM Moters. The workers were smart when they went on strike. They showed up at work, but just sat there doing nothing! They owners then couldn't hire any replacements because the people were there, just not doing their job. This was one of the most sucessful strikes that was in favor of the Union. -
Fair Labor Standards Act.
This act was created in 1938. It was the first federal regulation of child labor. It set a minimum age of employment and hours of work for children. -
Major League Baseball Strike
Most of the players wanted more money. So, they all went on strike. Obiously, it is hard to replace baseball players, so the bosses gave in. This was another successful strike. FUN FACT: 86 games were missed and never made up. -
NYC Transit Strike
Basically, the taxi drivers, bus drivers, etc., of NYC wanted more money for there jobs. They all went on strike. This shut down all transportation in New York City for about 3 days!
