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Industrialization of America
Following the Civil War, America became an industrial giant. Industries expanded and many new ones were made. During this time, though, a large gap between the wealthy and the poor became evident. Many workers worked long hours with low pay in dangerous conditions. This led to many workers creating and joining labor unions. -
Sherman Antitrust Act
The act was the first of it's kind, placing limitations on cartels and oppresive monopolies. The main purpose of the act was to prohibit "any contract, trust, or conspiracy in restraint of interstate or foreign trade." Basically, it limits people from creating monopolies. -
Homestead Strike
The Homestead Strike was a strike that took place to improve working conditions, pay, benefits, etc at the Carnegie Steel plants (specifically the one in Homestead, Pennsylvania). The workers kept Henry Frick out of the factory, so he enlisted the help of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, which was a group of elite militia. It ended up being a conflict where 12 were killed and 23 were wounded. The strikers lost, leading to a huge setback in steel worker unions. -
Pullman Strike
Starting in 1893, due to the economic depression, the Pullman Palace Car Company began budget cuts. Workers wanted better wages, shorter work days, and better living conditions, but the owner, George Pullman, fired them in turn. A strike and boycott took place in retaliation. Federal troops were sent in to get the trains moving again, but the strikers tried to stop them. After some of the soldiers had been attacked, they fired into the crowd, killing 4 to 30 people, and wounding many others. -
Great Steel Strike of 1919
Workers in the steel industry faced long hours, low wages, and unsafe working conditions for decades. In WWI the situation improved slightly. After the war, conditions worsened and workers couldn't take care of their families. Up to 350,000 workers went on strike in hopes to get better wages and improved working conditions. Federal troops and the national guard were sent into many cities to put down the strikes. Violence erupted and several workers lost their lives. It was a huge setback. -
Great Railroad Strike of 1922
The Railroad Labor Board had decided that they were going to cut wages for a second time. They were planning on cutting wages by 7 cents, a little over $1.00 in today's money. Workers began to strike for better wages, overtime pay, and the end to contracting out shop work. In turn, the companies filled about 3/4 of the unfilled positions with non-union workers. The government eventually intervened, sending in troops and banning strikes. The workers hesitantly agreed to a 5 cent pay cut. -
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The Great Depression
A severe worldwide economic depression. The Great Depression affected a large portion of Americans. Many lived in poverty and took any job, no matter the pay, the benefits, the risk, etc. because they were desperate for any money. There is no exact date that it ended, but by the time WWII rolled around, the country's economy was getting better. WWII also helped boost the economy as well. -
National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act)
The act guarantees private sector employees the rights to organize into unions, engage in collective bargaining for better work conditions, and take collective actions (i.e. strikes). -
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World War II
A global war that lasted 6 years and 1 day. Production rose and most Americans had jobs, though the workload was high and the pay was low. Several strikes took place during the war and great strides were achieved. -
Taft-Hartley Act
This act made major changes to the Wagner Act. The Taft-Hartley Act makes closed shops illegal, permits union shops (if a majority of employees vote for it), forbids jurisdictional action and secondary boycotts, ends the check-off system, and forbids unions from contributing to political campaigns. The president is also allowed to appoint a board of inquiry to investigate union disputes when it would endanger national health or safety, and obtain an 80-day injunction to stop a strike.
