Thesis 1 - U.S. History

Thesis

1. To what extent was organized labor's limited success due to the government policies during the Gilded Age?

Organized labor’s limited success during the Gilded Age (1870s–1900) was primarily due to government policies that suppressed strikes, enabled legal barriers against unions, and failed to regulate poor working conditions. These policies weakened labor organizations like the Knights of Labor (KoL) and the American Federation of Labor (AFL), prevented effective strikes, and allowed corporations to maintain control over workers. 

Federal Suppression of Strikes & Union Activity - Facts

The government frequently used force and legal measures to suppress strikes, preventing unions from gaining momentum.

1. Great Railroad Strike of 1877 – The first major national strike, caused by wage cuts, led to violent clashes when President Rutherford B. Hayes sent federal troops to suppress strikers, killing over 100 workers.

2. Pullman Strike (1894) – The American Railway Union (ARU), led by Eugene V. Debs, organized a strike against the Pullman Company’s wage cuts. President Grover Cleveland sent federal troops, leading to violent clashes and the arrest of Debs.

3. Homestead Strike (1892) – State militia, acting on behalf of Carnegie Steel, crushed striking steelworkers after a deadly battle with Pinkerton agents.

Legal Barriers & Court Decisions Against Unions - Facts

The legal system overwhelmingly sided with businesses, restricting union activities and preventing workers from organizing effectively

1. Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) – Originally meant to regulate monopolies, but instead was used against unions, treating strikes as "restraints of trade."

   • Example: The Pullman Strike led to Eugene V. Debs’ arrest under the Sherman Act, weakening labor activism.

2. "Yellow-Dog Contracts" & Injunctions – Employers forced workers to sign agreements stating they would not join unions. Courts upheld these contracts and issued injunctions (legal orders) to stop strikes.

3. Loewe v. Lawlor (1908) – The Supreme Court ruled that union boycotts violated antitrust laws, further limiting labor’s ability to fight for workers' rights.

Laissez-Faire Policies & Lack of Worker Protections - Facts

The government’s hands-off (laissez-faire) approach allowed corporations to exploit workers without consequences, further limiting labor’s success.

1. No Legal Protection for Unions – Unlike later reforms, the government did not recognize workers’ rights to unionize, allowing corporations to fire, blacklist, or intimidate union members without legal repercussions.

2. Poor Working Conditions – There were no laws regulating hours, safety, or wages, forcing workers into dangerous and low-paying jobs.

   • Example: The Knights of Labor (KoL) fought for an eight-hour workday, but without government support, their demands were largely ignored.

3. Exclusion of Certain Workers – Many laws and court rulings made it difficult for unskilled workers, women, and Black workers to unionize effectively.

   • The AFL, led by Samuel Gompers, focused mainly on skilled workers, leaving unskilled laborers with few protections.

Linkage

• By using federal troops and police forces to violently suppress strikes, the government weakened unions and made workers hesitant to organize, limiting labor’s effectiveness.

• Since courts and legal rulings favored corporations over labor, unions had little power to organize strikes or negotiate for better wages and conditions.

• Since the government refused to pass protective labor laws, corporations had unchecked power, making it difficult for unions like the KoL and AFL to achieve lasting reforms.

  
  Together, these government policies created an environment where labor unions could not thrive, ensuring that organized labor remained weak throughout the Gilded Age.

 internal weaknesses - Refutation

Some argue that organized labor failed due to its own internal weaknesses, not government suppression. The labor movement was divided by skill level, race, and ideology, preventing it from unifying into a powerful force.

1. Divisions Between Knights of Labor (KoL) and AFL –

• The Knights of Labor (KoL) included all workers, but lacked clear goals and leadership, making them ineffective.

• The AFL, led by Samuel Gompers, focused only on skilled workers, excluding unskilled laborers, Black workers, and women.

• These divisions prevented a strong, united labor front.

  2. Haymarket Affair (1886) & Public Perception of Unions –

  • After the Haymarket bombing in Chicago, unions were unfairly associated with violence and anarchism.

  • KoL membership declined, and unions became viewed as radical organizations, reducing public support.

  3. Lack of Coordinated Strategy –

  • Some unions focused on broad political reforms (e.g., KoL’s push for economic restructuring), while others, like the AFL, sought immediate workplace improvements.

  • These differing approaches led to competition rather than cooperation.