18.3

Spontaneous action: Strike began in Baltimore, Maryland, and Martinsburg, West Virginia on July 16-17, 1877 in response to wage cuts by railroad management.
Initial action: At Camden Junction, a fireman refused to move his train, prompting others to stop work, halting all traffic on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Management response: Strikers were fired, leading to an escalation where workers in Pittsburgh prevented all freight from leaving the city by July 19.
Violence and casualties:
- Baltimore: Strikers attacked troops; militia killed 11.
- Pittsburgh: Crowds clashed with militia, resulting in 20 deaths.
- Destruction: By July 22, significant property was damaged, including 39 buildings, 104 engines, 1,200 freight cars.
Spread of strikes: Protests spread across major rail lines to New York, New Jersey, Indiana, Illinois, Kansas City, and San Francisco.
Women’s involvement: Women, particularly the wives of strikers, participated actively, supporting the strikers despite personal hardships.
Government intervention: President Hayes declared an insurrection, deploying federal troops with Gatling guns to suppress the strike.

National sentiment: The strike instilled fear and inspired varying responses concerning industrialization and labor rights nationwide.
Creation of the National Guard: Following the 1877 strike, states formed National Guard units to maintain order during labor disputes.
Rise of labor unions: Strikers' actions laid the groundwork for the growth of labor unions advocating for workers' rights.

Formation: Established in 1869, it became the largest labor union by the 1870s under the leadership of Terence V. Powderly.
- Inclusivity: Allowed membership regardless of race, skill, or immigration status.
Goals: Advocated for an eight-hour workday, equal pay for women, and government ownership of railroads and banks.
Notable victories:
- Successful strikes against the Western Union and railroads in the mid-1880s.
Approach: Avoided violence and sought to unite workers and employers for a common good.

Formation: Created in 1886 by skilled labor unions who focused on specific trades while avoiding larger political ideologies.
Leadership: Samuel Gompers served as president for decades, advocating for practical goals such as wage increases and job security.
Child labor: AFL sought to address and ban child labor while increasing protections for workers in specific trades.

Event: On May 1, 1886, workers protested for an eight-hour workday in Chicago.
Violence: A bomb was thrown at police during a rally, leading to the execution of anarchist leaders despite evidence against them.
Significance: Resulted in increased tensions between labor movements and government, exemplifying the struggle for rights in a rapidly industrializing society.

Background: Workers at Carnegie's Homestead Steel Mill went on strike against wage cuts and unfair labor practices.
Owner's response: Henry Clay Frick closed the mill, refused to negotiate, and brought in Pinkerton agents to suppress the strike.
Violence: An armed confrontation resulted in deaths on both sides, but ultimately the strikers were defeated.

Overview: Led by Eugene V. Debs and the American Railway Union in response to wage cuts without corresponding rent decreases in company-owned housing.
Government intervention: The federal government sent troops to quell the strike, resulting in violence and many casualties.
Aftermath: Debs became a fervent advocate for socialism after serving time in prison, advocating for workers' rights on a larger scale.

Formation: Established in 1905, aimed to unite all workers regardless of skill level.
Philosophy: Focused on radical change and the idea of building a new society through the empowerment of the working class.

Event: A tragic fire on March 25, 1911 led to the deaths of 146 workers, primarily young women, highlighting dangerous working conditions.
Impact: Sparked labor reform and discussions on workers' rights and safety regulations.

Context: Mill workers in Lawrence, Massachusetts protested wage cuts following legal restrictions on hours.
Tactics: Organizers employed innovative strategies to promote solidarity among diverse workers.
Outcome: The strike was successful, resulting in wage increases and better working conditions.

Conflict: Striking miners were brutally suppressed by company troops, leading to a tragic loss of life, including women and children.
Significance: This event highlighted the extreme violence against labor movements and galvanized support for workers' rights.