APUSH 6.7

Iron Law of Wages

A theory by economist David Ricardo suggesting that increasing wages leads to a larger workforce, which subsequently drives wages back down to subsistence levels.

Wage Earners

Workers who receive a fixed payment for their labor, typically paid hourly, daily, or weekly, as opposed to salaries or profit shares.

Collective Bargaining

The process by which a group of workers, represented by a union, negotiates with employers to determine wages, working conditions, and other terms of employment.

Railroad Strike of 1877

A major strike caused by wage cuts during an economic depression, spreading across 11 states and shutting down two-thirds of the nation's railways.

Craft Unions

Labor unions that organize workers based on their specific trades or skills, such as carpenters or machinists.

National Labor Union

Founded in 1866, it was the first national organization to unite workers across different industries, advocating for higher wages, an eight-hour workday, and social reforms.

Knights of Labor

A labor union that emerged in 1869, accepting a diverse membership and focusing on reforms such as worker cooperatives and the abolition of child labor.

Haymarket Bombing

A violent incident in Chicago's Haymarket Square in 1886, where a bomb killed seven police officers during a labor rally.

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

Founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers, this labor organization prioritized economic gains like higher wages and better working conditions.

Samuel Gompers

A prominent labor leader and the first president of the American Federation of Labor, emphasizing 'bread-and-butter unionism'.

Homestead Strike

A significant labor conflict in 1892 at Andrew Carnegie's steel plant, where wage cuts led to a violent confrontation between strikers and private security forces.

Pullman Strike

A nationwide railroad strike in 1894 triggered by wage cuts at the Pullman Company, disrupting rail traffic and mail services.

Eugene V. Debs

A labor leader who organized the American Railway Union and later founded the American Socialist Party in 1900.