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Railroad Strike
Response to the depression railroad companies slashed wages, so railroad workers went on strike. Riots were spread by strike supporters and the army was called in to restore order with over 100 people dead and much property destroyed. -
Mass immigration
During the period from 1880 to 1900, a flux of immigrants came over to America and was called the age of mass immigration. Due to this immense population increase, industrial employers could now pay lower wages and make more profits, allowing companies to expand. -
Pendleton Act
Hoping to reduce corruption in the distribution of government jobs, the United States Congress passes the Pendleton Act, introducing an examination system for selecting federal civil servants. Only 10% of all federal appointees are made subject to this process of selection by examination. -
Haymarket Riot
Took place in Chicago when anarchists called for a protest in Haymarket square. More than 1000 people showed up and were relatively peaceful until police tried to break up the crowd. At that point a bomb was thrown at the officers and they fired into the crowd. -
Santa Clara County v. Southern Pacific Railroad Company
The Supreme Court holds that corporations are persons covered by the 14th Amendment, and are entitled to due process. -
American Federation of Labor is founded
The American Federation of Labor, an alliance of independent craft unions, is founded to better employees pay, hours and working conditions -
Sherman Anti-trust Act passed
Act passed by Congress under the presidency of Benjamin Harrison, which regulates competition among enterprises. -
Homestead Steel Strike
Happened in 1892 involving steel workers at Carnegie steel plant in Pennsylvania when strikers tried to attack the plant. 300 guards were defending it and after a daylong gun fight the guards scattered, the strikers took the town. They were broken up by state militia. -
Immigration Restriction League founded
Founded by a group of nativists, this organization wanted to limit immigration by requiring that all new arrivals take a literacy test to prove they could read and write. -
Pullman Strike
Workers employed at the Pullman Company, outside of Chicago, go on strike when the company's owner, George Pullman, refuses to reduce rents in the company housing to match announced wage cuts. -
Factory Act passed
This Act raised the minimum work age to 12 years old. -
Radio invention
The first radio receiver, successfully received a radio transmission. -
Assembly line created
Before assembly lines, skilled workers would craft a piece of an object and modify it until it worked. With an assembly line now in America, industries could now make use of mass production. Mass production allowed companies to make more faster and cheaper and allow for replacement part. -
16th amendment ratified
This amendment gives congress the power to collect income taxes. -
Education Act passed
This Act made school compulsory for children up to age 14.