Industrialization/ Gilded Age

Problems in the Gilded Age (1870s-1900s)

1. Wealth Disparity

• Massive division between the wealthy and non-wealthy.

• Job opportunities primarily for the wealthy.

• Labor Unions and Strikes: Unions became increasingly important as workers sought to improve their conditions. Strategically organized by labor leaders like Eugene V. Debs of the American Railway Union, these unions aimed for better wages, hours, and working conditions. Notable strikes included the Pullman Strike of 1894, which was a nationwide railroad strike that escalated into a confrontation with federal troops, demonstrating the tensions between labor and government. Workers often faced retaliation such as blacklisting and violence during strikes, and the outcome frequently depended on public sentiment or the government's response. These strikes highlighted the growing discontent among the working class and the urgent need for labor reforms.

Key Labor Leaders

• Eugene V. Debs: A prominent socialist and one of the founders of the American Railway Union (ARU), Debs was an outspoken advocate for labor rights and socialism. He led the Pullman Strike of 1894, which resulted in his arrest and imprisonment. Debs later became a five-time presidential candidate for the Socialist Party of America, emphasizing civil rights and economic equality.

• Samuel Gompers: As the founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), Gompers championed the rights of skilled workers and focused on practical issues like wages, hours, and working conditions. He believed that through collective bargaining and strikes, workers could achieve better living conditions. Gompers opposed the more radical tactics of some unions and favored a moderate, businesslike approach.

• John L. Lewis: A key figure in the labor movement, Lewis was the president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) from 1920 to 1960. He was instrumental in organizing industrial unions and played a major role in the formation of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO), which represented all workers in a given industry, regardless of their craft.

• Mother Jones (Mary Harris Jones): A fiery labor organizer and advocate for workers’ rights, Mother Jones is known for her activism on behalf of coal miners and children who worked in factories. Her work in organizing strikes, particularly in the coalfields of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, made her a prominent figure in the labor movement.

• William D. Haywood: As a founding member and leader of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Haywood aimed to unite all workers to overthrow capitalism and replace it with socialism. The IWW was known for its radical organization tactics and direct action, including strikes and protests.

2. Food and Drink Safety

• Unsafe water and toxic food substances:

  • Candy: Coated with harmful chemicals.

  • Bread: Contained impurities and chemicals.

  • Coffee: Mixed with peas and artificial flavors.

  • Canned Foods: Used strong chemicals but often spoiled.

  • Alcohol: Commonly associated with crime and health issues.

3. Health Risks

• Contaminated water leading to diseases.

• Inefficient trash collection contributing to public health hazards.

4. Education Challenges

• Only 20% of high school students earned diplomas.

• Teachers faced low pay and overcrowded classrooms.

• Poor families had limited access to education resources.

5. Air Quality

• Smog prevalent in urban areas, incorrectly believed by doctors to cure lung disease.

6. Traffic Issues

• Overcrowded trolleys leading to accidents.

• Lack of traffic control causing fatalities.

7. Housing Conditions

• Immigrants inhabited mass housing, leading to ghettos.

• Law in 1879 mandated windows in bedrooms, often overlooking trash-filled alleys.

Key Figures

• Andrew Carnegie: Founder of Carnegie Steel Co. and philanthropist.

• JP Morgan: Investment banker who helped form major companies and railroads.

• John D. Rockefeller: Created Standard Oil, once a monopoly.

• Cornelius Vanderbilt: Railroad and steamship mogul, founder of Vanderbilt University.

• Henry Ford: Innovated assembly line production in auto manufacturing.

• Thomas Edison: Inventor known for the lightbulb and numerous patents.

• William D. Haywood: Socialist labor leader of the IWW.

• Wright Brothers: Pioneers of aviation.

• Samuel Gompers: Founded the American Federation of Labor.

• Guglielmo Marconi: Inventor of the radio.

• George Westinghouse: Developer of the railway air brake and AC.

• Jane Addams: Advocate for settlement houses and labor reforms.

Notable Inventions

• Telephone: 1876 - Alexander Graham Bell.

• Phonograph: 1877 - Thomas Edison.

• Light Bulb: 1880 - Thomas Edison.

• Typewriter: 1867 - Christopher Sholes.

• Radio: 1895 - Guglielmo Marconi.

• Motion Pictures: 1895 - Edison and the Lumiere brothers.

• X-ray: 1895 - Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen.

• Airplane: 1903 - Wright Brothers (Wilbur and Orville Wright).