TERENCE POWDERLY, SAMUEL GOMPERS, AND THE LABOR UNIONS
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The rapid economic growth of the Industrial Revolution brought a lot of wealth into the people's pockets, but it did so at a cost. The dangerous working conditions of the factories, the lack of security from their employers, and uncertainty in their own rights caused american workers to look to a new political force, labor unions, to protect them. Although standards of living had increased for most people, workers were never very far from poverty (Alan Brinkley.) The earliest recorded strike in america was in 1768, so the idea of a unified workers movement was nothing new. In fact, union members saw themselves as defending the republican virtues of the revolution by supporting "civic equality, honest labor, and independent citizenship" ("Labor Movement.")
Workers looking for organization mainly flocked to the unions: the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor.
The rapid economic growth of the Industrial Revolution brought a lot of wealth into the people's pockets, but it did so at a cost. The dangerous working conditions of the factories, the lack of security from their employers, and uncertainty in their own rights caused american workers to look to a new political force, labor unions, to protect them. Although standards of living had increased for most people, workers were never very far from poverty (Alan Brinkley.) The earliest recorded strike in america was in 1768, so the idea of a unified workers movement was nothing new. In fact, union members saw themselves as defending the republican virtues of the revolution by supporting "civic equality, honest labor, and independent citizenship" ("Labor Movement.")
Workers looking for organization mainly flocked to the unions: the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor.
The Knights of Labor (K of L)
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The American Federation of Labor (AFL)
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Both unions generally sought the same things. They much preferred negotiations to strikes. They demanded an 8 hour work day and an end to child labor. They wanted to lessen the enormous gap between the rich factory owners and their workers. In these pursuits, they had many successes. The workday was limited, child labor abolished, compulsory education established, and wages slightly rose. However, most of these reforms only came after straining legal battles and negotiations and many years of effort. ("Labor Movement")
Through the end of the 19th the image of unions suffered a lot due to the many violent strikes and hints of anarchism within them. (Alan Brinkley) However, unions have since persisted and have been instrumental in the experiences of workers for over a hundred years. The American Federation of Labor still exists today as the AFL-CIO ("Samuel Gompers") Without the tenacity of workers' demands through organized labor unions, the Industrial Revolution would have been even harsher on the families forced to work in the factories.
Through the end of the 19th the image of unions suffered a lot due to the many violent strikes and hints of anarchism within them. (Alan Brinkley) However, unions have since persisted and have been instrumental in the experiences of workers for over a hundred years. The American Federation of Labor still exists today as the AFL-CIO ("Samuel Gompers") Without the tenacity of workers' demands through organized labor unions, the Industrial Revolution would have been even harsher on the families forced to work in the factories.
Works Cited:
"Samuel Gompers (1850 - 1924)." America's Unions. American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
"Labor Movement." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
Alan, Brinkley. "Knights of Labor." Fifth Edition The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History Of The American People. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008. 445-46. Print.
Case, Theresa Ann. "Introduction." The Great Southwest Railroad Strike and Free Labor. College Station: Texas A & M UP, 2010. 14. Print.
“Knights of Labor (KOL)” Britannica School High ND: eb.com Web. 29 Jan. 2014
“Terence V. Powderly” Britannica School High ND: eb.com Web. 29 Jan. 2014
"Samuel Gompers (1850 - 1924)." America's Unions. American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, n.d. Web. 27 Jan. 2015.
"Labor Movement." History.com. A&E Television Networks, n.d. Web. 29 Jan. 2015.
Alan, Brinkley. "Knights of Labor." Fifth Edition The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History Of The American People. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill, The McGraw-Hill Companies, 2008. 445-46. Print.
Case, Theresa Ann. "Introduction." The Great Southwest Railroad Strike and Free Labor. College Station: Texas A & M UP, 2010. 14. Print.
“Knights of Labor (KOL)” Britannica School High ND: eb.com Web. 29 Jan. 2014
“Terence V. Powderly” Britannica School High ND: eb.com Web. 29 Jan. 2014