Ch. 3 pt. 1 —US HISTORY

CHAPTER 3 The Industrial Experiment, 1865-1900

The Great Railway Strike of 1877

• Date: July 16, 1877

• Train crew of Baltimore and Ohio Railroad initiated strike, demanding better wages.

• Strikers took a stand resulting in police withdrawal and support from families and local citizens.

• A quote from a striker highlighted the desperation: "Strike and live! Bread we must have! Remain and perish!"

• Violence erupted when a striker shot a militia member, leading to the militia retaliating and killing the striker.

• Governor and railway officials requested federal troops from President Rutherford Hayes to restore order.

• Strikes spread across the nation, igniting protests from workers in various cities like Pittsburgh, Chicago, and San Francisco, showing solidarity among laborers.

• Strikers targeted Chinese workers, amidst a growing atmosphere of labor unrest and racial tensions.

Economic Context

• Industrial workers faced deteriorating conditions due to prolonged economic depression, pay cuts, and rising unemployment.

• Public reaction to the violent unrest reflected societal divisions and the challenges workers faced in uniting for their rights.

Industrial Expansion, 1865-1889

• Economic Transformation: The Second Industrial Revolution was characterized by rapid economic changes similar to the First Industrial Revolution yet taking root in the U.S. and Germany.

• The shift saw advancements in technology, marketing, transportation, and an escalating national economy.

Technological Innovations

• Invention Surge: Post-Civil War period marked unprecedented patent registrations.

  • 1790-1860: 36,000 patents recorded; 1890s alone saw over 234,956 patents.

• Key Inventions: Included the typewriter (1867), cash register (1879), and flush toilets, leading to a rise in productivity and quality of life.

• Breakthrough in Steel: Introduction of the Bessemer process revolutionized steel production, essential for infrastructure like railroads, contributing to a robust economy.

Rise of Railroads

• Railroads as a backbone for industrial growth, connecting raw materials from the West to the industrial East.

• By 1900, rail mileage expanded dramatically from 35,000 to 200,000 miles, surpassing European nations.

• Significance: Railroads pioneered modern management practices and required substantial capital investment, leading to the rise of influential business figures known as "robber barons."

The New Consumer Society

• Shift in Shopping Habits: Emergence of department and chain stores facilitated consumer culture.

  • Iconic stores like Macy’s and A&P catered to the changing consumer demands, often targeting women as primary shoppers.

• Advertising Revolution: Growth in professional advertising sought to persuade rather than inform, amplifying the consumer experience.

The New Industrial Order

• Management Strategies: Businesses adapted vertical and horizontal integration tactics to consolidate their control over markets.

• Figures like Andrew Carnegie and John D. Rockefeller exemplified these strategies, altering the business landscape dramatically through mergers and trusts.

• Cultural Influence: Laissez-faire economics and Social Darwinism affected public perception of business and industry, often fostering a belief in the merit of unequal wealth distribution.

Labor Movement Challenges

• Union Formation: Early labor movements like the National Labor Union faced significant opposition from employers and the government.

• The Knights of Labor emerged to unite workers of different backgrounds, advocating against child labor and for an eight-hour workday, yet faced backlash and accusations of association with anarchists after the Haymarket incident in 1886.

• American Federation of Labor (AFL): Founded in 1886, focusing on skilled labor issues and rejecting broader reform, emphasizing 'bread-and-butter' issues instead.

Conclusion

• The chapter illustrates the profound transformation of America during the Industrial Revolution, highlighting both economic growth and rising social tensions.

• The shift from agrarian lifestyles to industrial labor marked a critical evolution in work, society, and the economy.