Labor Strikes and Unions in the Late 19th Century

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to significant labor strikes and union movements in the late 19th century, highlighting events like the Great Railroad Strike, the Homestead Strike, and the Pullman Strike, as well as notable figures and union theories.

Great Railroad Strike (1847-1894)

A significant labor strike marked by a period of unrest among railroad workers, lasting for 45 days.

Homestead Strike (1892)

A labor dispute where workers protested against wage cuts and were met with strong opposition from the company and military.

Pullman Strike (1894)

A nationwide railroad strike that started due to wage cuts at the Pullman Company which led to federal intervention.

Eugene V. Debs

The president of the American Railway Union who became a leader for industrial unionism and was imprisoned for his role in the Pullman Strike.

Industrial Unionism

A labor union approach where all workers in an industry organize together, irrespective of the skill level.

Craft Unionism

A labor organizing strategy focused on skilled workers from a specific trade.

Injunction

A judicial order that restrains a person from enforcing a specific action, often used against striking workers.

National Guard

A reserve military force deployed to maintain order during labor strikes.

Lockout

An employer's refusal to allow employees to work as a form of protest, often during labor disputes.

Knights of Labor

An early labor organization that sought to unite all workers and advocated for broad social reforms.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

A national federation of labor unions in the United States, focused on skilled labor and collective bargaining.