Labor History and Strikes Overview

Overview of the Brownsville Raid and Labor History

  • Brownsville Raid

    • Occurred in 1906 in Brownsville, Texas.
    • Important historical event, currently being studied in classes.
    • Related to larger significant trends and themes in labor history.

  • Preparation for Assessment

    • Upcoming big book and discussions scheduled.
    • Formal quiz set for the 24th to 25th of the month.

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877

  • Significance of the Great Railroad Strike
    • Occurred in 1877, serves as a critical reference point in U.S. labor history.
    • Authors' Thesis
    • The authors utilize this strike as a key piece of evidence to support discussions on worker operations and labor organization.
    • Context
    • Set the stage for future labor organizing.
    • Impact
    • The strike illustrated the escalating tensions between labor forces and governing authorities.

Role of the Army in Civil Unrest

  • Use of Military Force
    • The standard army and National Guard forces were often deployed against striking workers during the late 19th century.
    • Recruitment Issues
    • Difficulty in recruitment faced by the army and National Guard due to their roles in quelling civil unrest.
    • Violence Against Workers
    • Thousands of workers were killed in confrontations, akin to civil warfare within cities.
    • Historical Context
    • This pattern of violence against labor movements reflects ongoing tensions in politics.

Armories and Civil Preparedness

  • Establishment of Armories
    • Major cities constructed armories aimed at facilitating rapid military response against civil disturbances.
    • These facilities reflect the militarization of response to labor movements and protests.

Native American Responses to Standardization

  • Ghost Dance
    • Utilized by authors to illustrate how Native Americans opposed the push for standardization and assimilation into American society.
    • Important cultural response to the encroachment on their traditional ways of life.

Revision and Notetaking Strategies

  • Study Tips
    • Important terms and concepts should be included in all notes for easy reference during revisions.
    • Not mention that certain terms have shown up multiple times, consider their relevance for essays or exams.