Anthracite Coal Strike and Lecture Flashcards

Collective Bargaining

The process where workers come together as a group to discuss and negotiate their concerns and demands with their employers, aiming for better wages, working conditions, and benefits. This is a cornerstone of labor rights and collective power.

Strikes/Lockouts

Actions taken by workers (strikes) or employers (lockouts) during labor disputes. Strikes involve workers refusing to work to pressure employers, while lockouts involve employers preventing workers from accessing the workplace. These are often last resorts in resolving disputes.

Scabs/Labor Surplus

Scabs are replacement workers hired to take the jobs of striking employees, undermining the effectiveness of strikes. A labor surplus refers to an oversupply of available workers, which weakens unions' bargaining power as employers have more options for hiring.

Anthracite Coal Strike

A significant labor dispute in the early 1900s involving coal miners seeking better pay, shorter hours, and union recognition. It marked a key moment in the Progressive Era's focus on labor reform and government intervention.

Secret Ballots

A voting system where individuals cast their votes in private, without fear of intimidation or influence. This innovation aimed to reduce corruption and ensure that voters could freely express their preferences.

17th Amendment

This constitutional amendment allowed for the direct election of senators by the people, rather than by state legislatures. This reform was intended to make the Senate more accountable to the public and reduce the influence of special interests.

18th Amendment

A nationwide ban on the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, driven by moral and social concerns. It led to the rise of illegal activities and was eventually repealed.

19th Amendment

This amendment granted women the right to vote, marking the culmination of a long struggle for women's suffrage. Jeanette Rankin, the first woman elected to Congress, played a role in advancing this cause.

Clayton Antitrust Act

This act strengthened antitrust laws by prohibiting specific business practices that could harm competition, such as price discrimination, exclusive dealing agreements, and anticompetitive mergers and acquisitions. It aimed to promote fair competition and protect consumers.

Bank Holiday

During the Great Depression, a temporary closure of all banks was declared as part of the Emergency Banking Relief Act. This was done to stabilize the banking system and restore public confidence by ensuring that banks were financially sound before reopening.

FDIC

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was created to insure deposits in banks up to a certain amount (currently 250,000). This measure aimed to prevent bank runs and protect individuals' savings in case of bank failures.

Social Security Act

This act established a system of old-age benefits for workers, funded by payroll taxes. It was designed to provide income security for retirees and stimulate the economy by encouraging older workers to retire, opening up job opportunities for younger individuals.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

This landmark legislation outlawed discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin in public accommodations and employment. It was a major step forward in the Civil Rights Movement.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

This act aimed to eliminate discriminatory voting practices by requiring states to register all eligible voters who apply, particularly targeting areas with a history of voter suppression. It sought to ensure that all citizens had equal access to the ballot box.

Barry Goldwater

An influential conservative politician who opposed the Great Society programs, Social Security expansion, and the New Deal policies. He is considered a key figure in the rise of modern conservatism.