APUSH Unit 6 - Labor unions and SOC

Did workers have freedom?

• Some workers like skilled miners had more autonomy during manufactoring

• MAJORITY of workers did not have freedom bc of 60 hour work weeks, no compensation for injuries, no protection against unemployment, and dangerous conditions

• 1880-1900, 35k ppl died a year at jobs

• Many were already jobless bc of the depressions

• Raised questions about freedom and economic equality

What was the middle class like?

• Increased social status

• exclusive rich neighborhoods

• lived lavishly with balls, exclusive clubs, schools

Describe social darwinism

• The idea of natural selection came from scientist Charles Darwinism

• Applied to society to state that some groups are naturally superior and lower class status is because it is their fate

• Failure to move status is bc of lack of self-reliance and determination

Who were the Knights of Labor?

• Organization with workers all over the country. About 800k ppl in 1886

• Advocated for 8 hour work days and higher pay, public reform, anarchism, socialism,

• Consisted of men, women, whites, blacks, unskilled and skilled workers

May Day (1886)

On may 1, organizations all over the country did protest, picnics, and parades for pay

Great Railroad strike of 1877

• Workers gathered to protest pay cut and delayed railroads

• Milita was sent to try and force workers back to work

• Shots fired and 100 killed

• Workers then burned down railroads

Haymarket Affair

• McCormick Plant company bought new machines that will relay less on workers

• Workers protested

• May 3rd, four strikers were killed

• May 4, a big crowd gathered to protest killing

• Bombing occured and police started shooting

• Eight anarchist were charged for the bombing.

Pullman/RR strike

• 250k ppl gathered and disrupted rr shipments