6.5-6.9+Gilded+Age-+Capitalism+and+Immigration

Definition: The term "Gilded Age" was coined by Mark Twain in his book of the same name in 1873, highlighting the era's superficial glitter of wealth contrasted with underlying social issues.
Time Period: Covered from 1865 to 1898, marked by the rise of large corporations and industrial capitalism.
Socioeconomic Control: Dominated by the "captains of industry" who amassed great fortunes and influenced politics, while numerous problems existed for workers, farmers, and cities.

Labor Conditions:
- Two-thirds of all employed Americans worked in wages under harsh conditions (10-hour days, 6 days a week).
- Wages determined by supply and demand, often just above subsistence level due to competition from immigrant workers.
- David Ricardo's "Iron Law of Wages": Raising wages would increase population, leading to a cycle of low wages and poverty.
Family Income:
- Real wages rose, yet most families could not live on one income.
- By 1900, children made up 20% of the workforce, indicating economic necessity in many families.
- Most families earned less than $380 annually.

Shift from Artisan to Factory Work:
- Transition to factory work diminished personal craftsmanship, resulting in monotonous tasks.
- Emphasis on time management affected work satisfaction.
- Dangerous conditions with exposure to harmful substances.
Worker Resistance:
- Workers often rebelled against poor conditions through absenteeism or quitting, averaging job changes every three years.
Labor Organizations:
- Many factory workers did not join unions to express discontent, opting instead for other forms of protest.

Labor Conflict Severity: The late 19th century was characterized by violence and confrontations between laborers and management; many worried about impending warfare between the two.

Management's Advantages:
- Easy replacement of strikers with strikebreakers.
- Key tactics included:
  - Lockouts: Closing factories to suppress strikes.
  - Blacklists: Preventing pro-union workers from getting jobs.
  - Yellow-Dog Contracts: Prohibiting union membership as a job condition.
  - Militias/Private Guards: Used to suppress strikes.
  - Court Injunctions: Legal means to prevent strikes.
Public Perception: Unions often seen as radical and un-American, with management usually prevailing in conflicts due to government support.

Diverse Views: Division among labor leaders on strategies—some supported political action, while others favored direct actions (e.g., strikes, boycotts) for rights and conditions.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877:
- Triggered by wage cuts during an economic depression; spread nationally, involving multiple industries.
- Resulted in federal troops being used for the first time to quell a labor strike; over 100 fatalities occurred.
National Labor Union:
- Formed in 1866 as the first nationwide labor organization, advocating for higher wages and an eight-hour workday. Suffered losses due to economic recession and unsuccessful strikes.
Knights of Labor:
- Established in 1869, opened to all workers, advocated various reforms. Initially peaked in membership before decline post-Haymarket riot due to a shift in public opinion against unions.

A pivotal 1886 event where labor violence erupted during a May Day rally in Chicago, leading to a backlash against unions and a significant decline in the Knights of Labor's popularity.

Founded: 1886, focused on skilled workers with narrower goals compared to the Knights of Labor.
Leadership: Samuel Gompers directed strategies emphasizing negotiation and collective bargaining.
Grew rapidly to become the largest labor organization in the U.S. by 1901, yet faced struggles achieving major victories until the early 20th century.

Homestead Strike (1892): A response to wage cuts, it involved violent clashes and ultimately failed to secure labor rights.
Pullman Strike (1894): Originated from wage cuts and management retaliation, leading to national disruption and federal intervention. Resulted in legal precedent aiding management's ability to break strikes and unions.

Union Membership: Only 3% of American workers were union members.
Management Dominance: Employers typically retained the upper hand in labor disputes, backed by government forces.
Regional Economic Concentration: Industrial growth primarily in the Northeast and Midwest, synonymous with urbanization and immigration influx.

Labor in the Gilded Age

Time Period: 1865-1898; rise of large corporations and industrial capitalism.
Socioeconomic Control: Wealthy industrialists vs. workers, farmers, and cities facing numerous challenges.

Labor Conditions: 66% of workers in harsh conditions (10-hour days); wages near subsistence due to immigrant competition.
Family Income: Real wages rose, but families needed multiple earners; 20% of workforce were children, average earnings < $380.

Labor Conflict Severity: Marked by violence and fear of warfare between workers and management.

Management Advantages: Easy striker replacement, locking out workers, blacklisting, yellow-dog contracts, and using militia.
Public Perception: Unions seen as radical, management typically supported by government.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877: Sparked by wage cuts; first national use of federal troops, resulting in over 100 fatalities.
National Labor Union: First nationwide labor group (1866) that faded due to economic issues.
Knights of Labor: Founded in 1869, peaked before decline due to public backlash post-Haymarket.
Haymarket Bombing (1886): Violence during Chicago's May Day rally led to anti-union sentiment.
American Federation of Labor (AFL): Established in 1886 focusing on skilled labor, emphasized negotiation, grew to become the largest union by 1901.

Homestead Strike (1892): In response to wage cuts; ended in violence without labor rights.
Pullman Strike (1894): Nationwide disruption from wage cuts led to federal intervention, aiding management's control.

Union Membership: 3% of American workers were unionized.
Management Dominance: Employers generally maintained control during disputes.
Economic Concentration: Industrial growth concentrated in Northeast and Midwest, paralleling urbanization and immigration.