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Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s.

The Second New Deal

A series of programs and reforms launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 to provide economic relief and reform.

National Labor Relations Act (NLRA/Wagner Act)

A landmark piece of labor law that guaranteed workers the right to join unions and engage in collective bargaining.

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

A federal agency created to enforce the rights of workers and to oversee labor relations.

Flint Sit-Down Strike

A pivotal labor strike in 1936 where workers occupied GM plants to demand recognition of their union.

CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations)

A federation of unions that aimed to organize all workers in mass production industries regardless of skill.

SWOC (Steel Workers Organizing Committee)

A committee aimed at organizing steel workers, known for its attempts to unionize in the steel industry.

Memorial Day Massacre

A violent confrontation in 1937 when police opened fire on unarmed strikers, leading to the deaths of ten workers.

Marine Cooks and Stewards Union (MCS)

An inclusive and democratic labor union known for its radical egalitarianism and activism.

War Labor Board (WLB)

A government agency established to mediate disputes and prevent strikes during WWII.

No-Strike Pledge

An agreement by unions not to strike during WWII to support the war effort.

A. Philip Randolph

A civil rights leader who fought for labor rights and led efforts to end discrimination in defense industries.

Executive Order 8802

An order issued by FDR to prohibit racial discrimination in defense jobs.

Rosie the Riveter

A cultural icon representing women who worked in factories and shipyards during WWII.

Taft-Hartley Act

A federal law passed in 1947 that imposed restrictions on labor unions and enhanced employer power.

Double V Campaign

A campaign advocating for victory against fascism abroad and racial injustice at home during WWII.

Cold War

A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States after WWII.

Right-to-Work Laws

State laws that prohibit union security agreements and weaken union organization.

Civil Rights Movement

A movement aiming to end racial discrimination and promote equal rights for all Americans, particularly African Americans.

Wildcat Strikes

Unauthorized strikes by union workers, typically occurring without the union leadership's approval.

Racial Segregation

The enforced separation of different racial groups in public and private sectors.

Employer Resistance

Opposition by employers to labor movements and unionization efforts, often leading to violence.

Repression of Labor Movements

Government or corporate actions taken to suppress labor activism and union efforts.

Inclusive Unions

Labor organizations that seek to represent workers regardless of race, gender, or job classification.

Redlining

A discriminatory practice that denied mortgages and insurance to residents in certain neighborhoods, often based on race.

Democratic Socialism

A political philosophy advocating for political democracy alongside social ownership of the means of production.

Labor Rights

The rights of workers to fair conditions, fair pay, and the ability to assemble and organize.

Strikes

Work stoppages conducted by employees to express grievances or demand better conditions.

Union Membership

Individual workers' affiliation with a labor organization that represents their interests.

Postwar Economic Growth

The period of economic expansion in the U.S. following WWII, marked by increased consumer spending and industrial output.