HST 308 - Unit 5

Neoliberalism What

Neoliberalism shifts economic power toward corporations by reducing regulations and weakening labor protections, allowing businesses to prioritize profit, which often results in job loss, lower wages, and less job security for workers.It promotes the idea that the market should control economic activity rather than the government.

Neoliberalism When

Became dominant in the United States in the late 1970s and especially the 1980s under Ronald Reagan.

Neoliberalism Why

Neoliberalism was important because it shifted economic power toward corporations by reducing regulations and weakening unions, which led to globalization, job loss, and increased insecurity for workers.

Neoliberalism changed the economy in a way that reduced protections for workers and increased corporate power.

Globalization What

Globalization is the process of increasing economic connections between countries, where goods, jobs, and production move across borders, often allowing companies to lower costs but leading to job loss and wage pressure for workers.often supported by institutions like the IMF, World Bank, and GATT

Globalization When

Expanded rapidly in the late 20th century (1970s–1990s) alongside neoliberal policies.

Globalization Why

Globalization is significant because it allowed corporations to outsource production to countries with cheaper labor, which contributed to deindustrialization in the U.S., job loss, and downward pressure on wages. It also weakened unions by making it easier for companies to relocate.

PATCO Strike What

The PATCO Strike was a strike by the Professional Air Traffic Controllers Organization, where federal workers demanded better wages, shorter hours, and improved working conditions, even though federal employees were legally prohibited from striking.

PATCO Strike When

August 1981, during the presidency of Ronald Reagan.

PATCO Strike Why

Reagan responded by firing over 11,000 striking workers, which made it clear that the federal government would take a hard line against unions. This event is significant because it discouraged future strikes, reduced union power, and contributed to a sharp decline in labor activism across the country.

Deindustrialization What

Deindustrialization is the long-term decline of manufacturing industries and factory-based production in the United States, especially in regions like the Midwest (often called the “Rust Belt”).

Deindustrialization When

Began in the 1970s and continued through the 1980s and 1990s.

Deindustrialization Why

It is significant because it led to mass layoffs, plant closures, and the loss of stable, unionized jobs. This caused economic decline in working-class communities, increased unemployment, and forced many workers into lower-paying service jobs.

NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) What

NAFTA is a free trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico that eliminated many tariffs and trade barriers between the three countries.

NAFTA American Free Trade Agreement) When

1994 under Bill Clinton

NAFTA (American Free Trade Agreement) Why

NAFTA is important because it accelerated globalization, allowing companies to move production to Mexico where labor was cheaper. This contributed to job loss in U.S. manufacturing, wage stagnation, and increased economic insecurity for workers.

Deregulation What

Deregulation is the process of removing or reducing government regulations on businesses, especially in industries like banking, transportation, and energy.

Deregulation When

Expanded during the 1980s under Ronald Reagan and continued into the 1990s

Deregulation Why

It is significant because it gave corporations more freedom and power, often at the expense of workers. It contributed to weaker labor protections, job instability, and economic inequality, and was a key part of the broader neoliberal agenda.

Sears Case What

The Sears Case was a 1980s discrimination lawsuit in which the EEOC argued that women were excluded from higher-paying commission sales jobs. Sears claimed women were not interested in those positions, and the court agreed.

Sears Case When

Took Place in the 1980s, with a key ruling in 1986

Sears Case Why

The court ruled in favor of Sears, arguing that women were not interested in those jobs. This is significant because it shows how systemic discrimination can be explained as personal choice, making it difficult to prove inequality. It highlights the limits of legal approaches to workplace equity.

Pillowtex Mills What

Pillowtex Mills was one of the largest textile manufacturing companies in the U.S., employing thousands of workers in Kannapolis, North Carolina.

Pillowtex Mills When

Closed in 2003, though it reflects trends from the late 20th century.

Pillowtex Mills Why

Pillowtex Mills is significant because its closure illustrates the impact of globalization and deindustrialization, as thousands of workers lost their jobs and the local community experienced economic decline, highlighting the vulnerability of workers in a neoliberal economy.

SEIU (Service Employees International Union) What

SEIU is a labor union that represents service-sector workers such as janitors and healthcare employees. It became especially important in the late 20th century as the economy shifted away from manufacturing

SEIU (Service Employees International Union) When

Founded in 1921 but grew significantly in the late 20th century.

SEIU (Service Employees International Union) Why

It is important because it represents the shift from industrial unions to service-sector organizing, using new strategies like protests and community alliances to organize low-wage workers in a changing economy.

NEA (National Education Association) What

The NEA is a large labor union that represents public school teachers and other education professionals.

NEA (National Education Association) When

Became especially influential in the late 20th century as public sector unions expanded.

NEA (National Education Association) Why

The NEA is significant because it represents the growth of public sector unions as industrial unions declined, showing a shift in the labor movement and changes in where union power existed in the late 20th century.

FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) What

A federal law that allows eligible workers to take unpaid, job-protected leave for family or medical reasons.

FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) When

Passed in 1993 under Bill Clinton.

FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) Why

FMLA was important because it expanded worker rights by providing job-protected leave for family and medical reasons, especially benefiting women and families. However, it also showed the limits of U.S. labor policy since the leave is unpaid, reflecting a shift toward legal protections rather than strong union-based gains.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) What

The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations in the workplace.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) When

Passed in 1990.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Why

The ADA was important because it expanded civil rights protections to people with disabilities by prohibiting workplace discrimination and requiring accommodations. It also reflects a broader shift in labor history from union-based gains to legal protections, as workers increasingly relied on legislation for rights.

Environmental Justice What

Environmental Justice is a movement that focuses on how pollution and environmental hazards disproportionately affect low-income and minority communities, especially working-class populations.

Environmental Justice When

1970s - 1980s

Environmental Justice Why

It is important because it connects labor, race, and environmental issues, showing that working-class communities often face both economic exploitation and environmental harm.

1999 Seattle WTO Protests What

Large demonstrations in Seattle against a World Trade Organization meeting. Protesters—including labor unions, environmentalists, and human rights activists—opposed globalization and free trade policies, arguing that they gave too much power to corporations while leading to job loss, lower wages, poor labor conditions, and environmental harm.

1999 Seattle WTO Protests When

1999.

1999 Seattle WTO Protests Why

They are significant because they show growing resistance to globalization and corporate power, and highlight how labor movements began forming coalitions with other social movements.The Seattle WTO Protests were significant because they demonstrated growing resistance to globalization, united labor unions with other social movements, and challenged the increasing power of corporations in the global economy.