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6.7 Labor in the Gilded Age

7 min readjanuary 26, 2023

Robby May

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Robby May

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

As boomed during the , the gap between the rich and the poor expanded significantly. led to the growth of large and the rise of , which concentrated wealth and power in the hands of a small group of industrialists and business leaders. This led to a significant increase in .

Workers during this time often worked long hours in unsafe and unhealthy conditions for very low pay. Many of these workers were or members of who faced discrimination and were often paid even less than other workers. Children were also commonly employed in these harsh conditions, often working long hours and performing dangerous tasks with no legal protections or compensation for injuries.

This led to the rise of and the , as workers sought to improve their working conditions, wages, and rights. However, as discussed earlier, management often used various tactics to suppress these movements and maintain the status quo.

Anti-Union Techniques

During the , management often held a significant advantage over organized labor in terms of resources and power. With a surplus of cheap labor, management had the ability to replace striking workers with strikebreakers or scabs, who were unemployed persons desperate for jobs. This made it difficult for strikes to be successful and weakened the power of .

In addition to using strikebreakers, management also used a variety of tactics to defeat unions and suppress labor movements.

These tactics include:

  • : closing a factory or workplace to prevent workers from going to work and breaking a before it could get organized.

  • : names of pro-union workers circulated among employers, making it difficult for those workers to find employment.

  • : workers being told, as a condition for employment, that they must sign an agreement not to join a union.

  • Calling in or to put down strikes.

  • Obtaining : court orders to stop a strike, making it illegal for workers to continue their strike action.

These tactics were commonly used by management during the to suppress labor movements and weaken unions, and were a significant factor in the struggle between management and labor during that time period.

Examples

During the (approximately 1870s to 1900), there were several examples of management using these tactics against organized labor in the United States:

  • The 1877 Great Railroad Strike, which began as a strike by railroad workers, was put down by state militias and federal troops, with many strikers being arrested and some killed.

  • The 1894 Pullman Strike, where the Pullman Palace Car Company used a against its workers in an effort to break the strike, which ultimately led to a nationwide railroad strike.

  • The 1892 Homestead Strike, where the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers went on strike against the Carnegie Steel Company, resulting in the company bringing in strikebreakers and calling in the to put down the strike.

  • The 1901 Coal Strike in Pennsylvania, where the United Mine Workers of America went on strike and the was called in to put down the strike.

  • The 1894 Ludlow Massacre, where the National Guard was called in to put down a strike by coal miners, leading to the deaths of more than 20 people, including women and children.

Early Unions

In an effort to protect their rights and improve their working conditions, workers began forming . The National Labor Union (NLU) was one of the first of these groups, formed in 1866, it sought to improve the rights and working conditions of all workers, regardless of their trade or skill level. They fought for an eight-hour workday, greater equality in the workplace, and the right to organize. However, the economic Panic of 1873 led to decreased membership for the National Labor Union, and it eventually dissolved in 1876.

Another early labor union was the , which formed in 1869. The was more inclusive than the NLU and accepted all workers regardless of their skill, race, or gender. They also advocated for the eight-hour workday and the right to organize, but in addition, they aimed for the abolishment of and monopolistic trusts. The was one of the most influential in the late 19th century, but it was also impacted by the economic downturns and internal conflicts, which led to a decline in membership.

These unions were the first steps in the and set the foundation for future to advocate for workers' rights and improve their working conditions.

Haymarket Riot

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/HaymarketRiot-Harpers.jpg

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

The of 1886 in Chicago was a significant event in the history of in the United States. The riot occurred during a labor protest in support of workers striking for an eight-hour workday, and it turned violent when someone threw a bomb at the police, killing eight people.

While the identity of the person who threw the bomb is still unknown, it led to a backlash against and the as a whole. Many people began to view as radical and anarchist organizations, which was further fueled by the growing Nativist sentiment of the time (Nativism is the political position of promoting the interests of native inhabitants against those of ).

This incident had a major impact on the , one of the most influential of the time. The , which had already been struggling with declining membership and internal conflicts, was further weakened by the negative public perception of following the . The public opinion of the unions was damaged and the organization was unable to recover from the blow.

The had a significant impact on the , as it led to increased government repression of and further weakened the power of organized labor during the .

American Federation of Laborers

The American Federation of Labor (AFL), led by , was one of the most influential of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The AFL focused on narrower goals, such as better wages and better working conditions, rather than the more broad and ambitious goals of earlier like the National Labor Union and the .

The AFL grew to become the largest labor union by 1901, and it had a significant impact on the during that time period. However, the AFL's initial success was limited, as many workers were still struggling to improve their working conditions and wages. The AFL and other would sometimes organize their efforts in strikes, but more often than not, the federal government supported and in some instances, forcefully ended workers’ efforts.

During the , the government often sided with business owners, who were seen as the backbone of the American economy, over workers. This led to a number of anti-union laws and court decisions that weakened the power of . For example, the courts issued injunctions against strikes, which made it illegal for workers to continue their strike action. The government also used force to break up strikes, and many states passed anti-union legislation.

Despite the challenges they faced, continued to advocate for workers' rights and improve their working conditions throughout the 20th century. The AFL played a key role in the , but it was not the only one, other unions like the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) also had a strong presence.

Strikes

The and the are notable examples of the federal government's intervention to end strikes and suppress .

The was a nationwide strike by railroad workers, who were protesting wage cuts and poor working conditions. The strike quickly spread to other industries and became one of the largest labor strikes in American history. The federal government, however, intervened and sent federal troops to break up the strikes, which led to violent clashes and the deaths of several workers. The strike was ultimately put down, but it marked a turning point in the relationship between labor and the government, with the government taking a more aggressive stance towards .

The was a strike by railroad workers in the Pullman Palace Car Company, which manufactured sleeping cars for trains. The workers, who were protesting wage cuts and poor working conditions, were joined by other railroad workers and the strike quickly spread nationwide. The federal government, under the leadership of President Cleveland, intervened and obtained a court injunction against the strike, which made it illegal for the workers to continue their strike action. Federal troops were also sent to break up the strike, which resulted in several deaths and injuries.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-05YT1fOuxM0X.png?alt=media&token=3458b8ea-548f-431d-b5c1-ea2efc921668

Image Courtesy of The Gilded age

In the Homestead Strike of 1892, Henry Clay Frick (manager of Carnegie’s Homestead Steel mill) incited resistance by reducing workers’ wages. The workers went on strike and Frick responded by locking the workers out of the plant. The workers surrounded it and Frick hired a small private army, the Pinkertons, to drive them off. Workers spotted the Pinkertons and pinned them down with gunfire and forced them to surrender. The Pennsylvania governor ordered the militia to impose peace at Homestead.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Industrialization and Gilded Age

Key Terms to Review (30)

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

: The AFL was a national federation of labor unions in the United States founded in Columbus, Ohio, in December 1886. It focused on achieving concrete economic gains, such as higher wages and shorter work hours.

Anti-Union Techniques

: Anti-union techniques refer to strategies used by employers or companies aimed at discouraging employees from joining or forming labor unions.

Big Business

: Big Business refers to large-scale corporations that control a significant portion of the economy. These businesses have substantial influence over market trends, labor practices, and even government policies.

Blacklists

: Blacklists are lists of people viewed as troublemakers or undesirable by businesses or governments. If you're on one, it can be very difficult for you to find employment in your field.

Child Labor

: Child labor refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives them their childhood interferes with their ability to attend regular school and is mentally, physically socially or morally harmful.

Coal Strike in Pennsylvania, 1901

: The Coal Strike of 1902 was a major strike by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coal fields of eastern Pennsylvania. Miners were on strike asking for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union.

Court Injunctions

: A court injunction is an order issued by a court that forces an individual, company or government entity to do something or stop doing something.

Economic Inequality

: Economic inequality refers to the unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society.

Factories

: Factories are large buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled chiefly by machine. They became a key feature of industrialization as they allowed for mass production of goods.

Gilded Age

: The Gilded Age (1870s-1900) was a period in US history marked by rapid economic growth, particularly in the North and West. However, it was also characterized by severe social problems, such as inequality and corruption.

Government Intervention in Strikes

: This refers to instances when government steps into labor disputes, often to maintain order or prevent disruption to public services.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

: The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was a series of strikes in response to wage cuts announced by the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad. The strike affected much of the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States.

Haymarket Riot

: The Haymarket Riot was a violent confrontation between police and labor protesters in Chicago on May 4th, 1886. It resulted in several deaths and injuries after someone threw a bomb into the crowd.

Homestead Strike of 1892

: The Homestead Strike was an industrial lockout and strike at the Carnegie Steel Company's Homestead, Pennsylvania plant over wage cuts, which culminated in a battle between strikers and private security agents.

Immigrants

: Immigrants are individuals who move to a different country with intentions of living there permanently.

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

: The IWW is an international labor union that was founded in Chicago in 1905. They are known for their belief in revolutionary industrial unionism, advocating for all workers within each industry to be organized into one big union.

Industrialization

: Industrialization is the process by which an economy shifts from primarily agrarian to one based on the manufacturing of goods. Individual manual labor is often replaced by mechanized mass production, and craftsmen are replaced by assembly lines.

Knights of Labor

: The Knights of Labor was an American labor organization established in 1869 that sought to include all laborers into one large union and advocated for broad social reforms.

Labor Movement

: The labor movement refers to the social and political campaign by workers (often organized into unions) for better wages, safer working conditions, and fair treatment from employers. It gained momentum during the Industrial Revolution when factory conditions were often dangerous and exploitative.

Labor Unions

: Labor unions are organized associations of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests.

Lockout

: A lockout is a work stoppage initiated by an employer during a labor dispute. It's when the management closes the workplace to prevent employees from working, usually in response to strikes or other labor unrest.

Ludlow Massacre, 1894

: The Ludlow Massacre was a conflict resulting from a labor strike by coal miners against their employers. The Colorado National Guard attacked a tent colony occupied by striking miners, leading to numerous deaths including women and children.

Minority Groups

: Minority groups refer to a category of people who are differentiated from the social majority, often through characteristics such as race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. They typically have less power or representation compared to the majority group.

National Labor Union (NLU)

: The National Labor Union was the first national labor federation in the United States, founded in 1866. It sought to improve working conditions through legislative reform rather than collective bargaining.

Private Guards

: Private guards are security personnel hired by individuals or companies to protect property, assets, or people. They often work for private security firms and have no connection to the government.

Pullman Strike of 1894

: The Pullman Strike was a nationwide railroad strike caused by wage reductions for Pullman Palace Car Company workers which led to widespread railway disruptions throughout midwestern United States.

Samuel Gompers

: Samuel Gompers was an English-born American labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history. He founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and served as its president for nearly four decades, from 1886 to 1924.

State Militia

: A state militia is a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency. It's usually under control of state authorities rather than federal government.

Strikebreakers (Scabs)

: Strikebreakers, often derogatorily referred to as 'scabs,' are individuals who work despite an ongoing strike. They can be workers who cross picket lines to do their jobs, or they might be people hired to replace striking employees.

Yellow-dog Contracts

: A yellow-dog contract is an agreement between an employer and an employee in which the employee agrees not to join a union during the term of employment.

6.7 Labor in the Gilded Age

7 min readjanuary 26, 2023

Robby May

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

Robby May

Robby May

Ashley Rossi

Ashley Rossi

Riya Patel

Riya Patel

As boomed during the , the gap between the rich and the poor expanded significantly. led to the growth of large and the rise of , which concentrated wealth and power in the hands of a small group of industrialists and business leaders. This led to a significant increase in .

Workers during this time often worked long hours in unsafe and unhealthy conditions for very low pay. Many of these workers were or members of who faced discrimination and were often paid even less than other workers. Children were also commonly employed in these harsh conditions, often working long hours and performing dangerous tasks with no legal protections or compensation for injuries.

This led to the rise of and the , as workers sought to improve their working conditions, wages, and rights. However, as discussed earlier, management often used various tactics to suppress these movements and maintain the status quo.

Anti-Union Techniques

During the , management often held a significant advantage over organized labor in terms of resources and power. With a surplus of cheap labor, management had the ability to replace striking workers with strikebreakers or scabs, who were unemployed persons desperate for jobs. This made it difficult for strikes to be successful and weakened the power of .

In addition to using strikebreakers, management also used a variety of tactics to defeat unions and suppress labor movements.

These tactics include:

  • : closing a factory or workplace to prevent workers from going to work and breaking a before it could get organized.

  • : names of pro-union workers circulated among employers, making it difficult for those workers to find employment.

  • : workers being told, as a condition for employment, that they must sign an agreement not to join a union.

  • Calling in or to put down strikes.

  • Obtaining : court orders to stop a strike, making it illegal for workers to continue their strike action.

These tactics were commonly used by management during the to suppress labor movements and weaken unions, and were a significant factor in the struggle between management and labor during that time period.

Examples

During the (approximately 1870s to 1900), there were several examples of management using these tactics against organized labor in the United States:

  • The 1877 Great Railroad Strike, which began as a strike by railroad workers, was put down by state militias and federal troops, with many strikers being arrested and some killed.

  • The 1894 Pullman Strike, where the Pullman Palace Car Company used a against its workers in an effort to break the strike, which ultimately led to a nationwide railroad strike.

  • The 1892 Homestead Strike, where the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers went on strike against the Carnegie Steel Company, resulting in the company bringing in strikebreakers and calling in the to put down the strike.

  • The 1901 Coal Strike in Pennsylvania, where the United Mine Workers of America went on strike and the was called in to put down the strike.

  • The 1894 Ludlow Massacre, where the National Guard was called in to put down a strike by coal miners, leading to the deaths of more than 20 people, including women and children.

Early Unions

In an effort to protect their rights and improve their working conditions, workers began forming . The National Labor Union (NLU) was one of the first of these groups, formed in 1866, it sought to improve the rights and working conditions of all workers, regardless of their trade or skill level. They fought for an eight-hour workday, greater equality in the workplace, and the right to organize. However, the economic Panic of 1873 led to decreased membership for the National Labor Union, and it eventually dissolved in 1876.

Another early labor union was the , which formed in 1869. The was more inclusive than the NLU and accepted all workers regardless of their skill, race, or gender. They also advocated for the eight-hour workday and the right to organize, but in addition, they aimed for the abolishment of and monopolistic trusts. The was one of the most influential in the late 19th century, but it was also impacted by the economic downturns and internal conflicts, which led to a decline in membership.

These unions were the first steps in the and set the foundation for future to advocate for workers' rights and improve their working conditions.

Haymarket Riot

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/61/HaymarketRiot-Harpers.jpg

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia

The of 1886 in Chicago was a significant event in the history of in the United States. The riot occurred during a labor protest in support of workers striking for an eight-hour workday, and it turned violent when someone threw a bomb at the police, killing eight people.

While the identity of the person who threw the bomb is still unknown, it led to a backlash against and the as a whole. Many people began to view as radical and anarchist organizations, which was further fueled by the growing Nativist sentiment of the time (Nativism is the political position of promoting the interests of native inhabitants against those of ).

This incident had a major impact on the , one of the most influential of the time. The , which had already been struggling with declining membership and internal conflicts, was further weakened by the negative public perception of following the . The public opinion of the unions was damaged and the organization was unable to recover from the blow.

The had a significant impact on the , as it led to increased government repression of and further weakened the power of organized labor during the .

American Federation of Laborers

The American Federation of Labor (AFL), led by , was one of the most influential of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The AFL focused on narrower goals, such as better wages and better working conditions, rather than the more broad and ambitious goals of earlier like the National Labor Union and the .

The AFL grew to become the largest labor union by 1901, and it had a significant impact on the during that time period. However, the AFL's initial success was limited, as many workers were still struggling to improve their working conditions and wages. The AFL and other would sometimes organize their efforts in strikes, but more often than not, the federal government supported and in some instances, forcefully ended workers’ efforts.

During the , the government often sided with business owners, who were seen as the backbone of the American economy, over workers. This led to a number of anti-union laws and court decisions that weakened the power of . For example, the courts issued injunctions against strikes, which made it illegal for workers to continue their strike action. The government also used force to break up strikes, and many states passed anti-union legislation.

Despite the challenges they faced, continued to advocate for workers' rights and improve their working conditions throughout the 20th century. The AFL played a key role in the , but it was not the only one, other unions like the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) also had a strong presence.

Strikes

The and the are notable examples of the federal government's intervention to end strikes and suppress .

The was a nationwide strike by railroad workers, who were protesting wage cuts and poor working conditions. The strike quickly spread to other industries and became one of the largest labor strikes in American history. The federal government, however, intervened and sent federal troops to break up the strikes, which led to violent clashes and the deaths of several workers. The strike was ultimately put down, but it marked a turning point in the relationship between labor and the government, with the government taking a more aggressive stance towards .

The was a strike by railroad workers in the Pullman Palace Car Company, which manufactured sleeping cars for trains. The workers, who were protesting wage cuts and poor working conditions, were joined by other railroad workers and the strike quickly spread nationwide. The federal government, under the leadership of President Cleveland, intervened and obtained a court injunction against the strike, which made it illegal for the workers to continue their strike action. Federal troops were also sent to break up the strike, which resulted in several deaths and injuries.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-05YT1fOuxM0X.png?alt=media&token=3458b8ea-548f-431d-b5c1-ea2efc921668

Image Courtesy of The Gilded age

In the Homestead Strike of 1892, Henry Clay Frick (manager of Carnegie’s Homestead Steel mill) incited resistance by reducing workers’ wages. The workers went on strike and Frick responded by locking the workers out of the plant. The workers surrounded it and Frick hired a small private army, the Pinkertons, to drive them off. Workers spotted the Pinkertons and pinned them down with gunfire and forced them to surrender. The Pennsylvania governor ordered the militia to impose peace at Homestead.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Industrialization and Gilded Age

Key Terms to Review (30)

American Federation of Labor (AFL)

: The AFL was a national federation of labor unions in the United States founded in Columbus, Ohio, in December 1886. It focused on achieving concrete economic gains, such as higher wages and shorter work hours.

Anti-Union Techniques

: Anti-union techniques refer to strategies used by employers or companies aimed at discouraging employees from joining or forming labor unions.

Big Business

: Big Business refers to large-scale corporations that control a significant portion of the economy. These businesses have substantial influence over market trends, labor practices, and even government policies.

Blacklists

: Blacklists are lists of people viewed as troublemakers or undesirable by businesses or governments. If you're on one, it can be very difficult for you to find employment in your field.

Child Labor

: Child labor refers to the exploitation of children through any form of work that deprives them their childhood interferes with their ability to attend regular school and is mentally, physically socially or morally harmful.

Coal Strike in Pennsylvania, 1901

: The Coal Strike of 1902 was a major strike by the United Mine Workers of America in the anthracite coal fields of eastern Pennsylvania. Miners were on strike asking for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union.

Court Injunctions

: A court injunction is an order issued by a court that forces an individual, company or government entity to do something or stop doing something.

Economic Inequality

: Economic inequality refers to the unequal distribution of income and opportunity between different groups in society.

Factories

: Factories are large buildings where goods are manufactured or assembled chiefly by machine. They became a key feature of industrialization as they allowed for mass production of goods.

Gilded Age

: The Gilded Age (1870s-1900) was a period in US history marked by rapid economic growth, particularly in the North and West. However, it was also characterized by severe social problems, such as inequality and corruption.

Government Intervention in Strikes

: This refers to instances when government steps into labor disputes, often to maintain order or prevent disruption to public services.

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

: The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was a series of strikes in response to wage cuts announced by the Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) Railroad. The strike affected much of the Northeast and Midwest regions of the United States.

Haymarket Riot

: The Haymarket Riot was a violent confrontation between police and labor protesters in Chicago on May 4th, 1886. It resulted in several deaths and injuries after someone threw a bomb into the crowd.

Homestead Strike of 1892

: The Homestead Strike was an industrial lockout and strike at the Carnegie Steel Company's Homestead, Pennsylvania plant over wage cuts, which culminated in a battle between strikers and private security agents.

Immigrants

: Immigrants are individuals who move to a different country with intentions of living there permanently.

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)

: The IWW is an international labor union that was founded in Chicago in 1905. They are known for their belief in revolutionary industrial unionism, advocating for all workers within each industry to be organized into one big union.

Industrialization

: Industrialization is the process by which an economy shifts from primarily agrarian to one based on the manufacturing of goods. Individual manual labor is often replaced by mechanized mass production, and craftsmen are replaced by assembly lines.

Knights of Labor

: The Knights of Labor was an American labor organization established in 1869 that sought to include all laborers into one large union and advocated for broad social reforms.

Labor Movement

: The labor movement refers to the social and political campaign by workers (often organized into unions) for better wages, safer working conditions, and fair treatment from employers. It gained momentum during the Industrial Revolution when factory conditions were often dangerous and exploitative.

Labor Unions

: Labor unions are organized associations of workers, often in a trade or profession, formed to protect and further their rights and interests.

Lockout

: A lockout is a work stoppage initiated by an employer during a labor dispute. It's when the management closes the workplace to prevent employees from working, usually in response to strikes or other labor unrest.

Ludlow Massacre, 1894

: The Ludlow Massacre was a conflict resulting from a labor strike by coal miners against their employers. The Colorado National Guard attacked a tent colony occupied by striking miners, leading to numerous deaths including women and children.

Minority Groups

: Minority groups refer to a category of people who are differentiated from the social majority, often through characteristics such as race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. They typically have less power or representation compared to the majority group.

National Labor Union (NLU)

: The National Labor Union was the first national labor federation in the United States, founded in 1866. It sought to improve working conditions through legislative reform rather than collective bargaining.

Private Guards

: Private guards are security personnel hired by individuals or companies to protect property, assets, or people. They often work for private security firms and have no connection to the government.

Pullman Strike of 1894

: The Pullman Strike was a nationwide railroad strike caused by wage reductions for Pullman Palace Car Company workers which led to widespread railway disruptions throughout midwestern United States.

Samuel Gompers

: Samuel Gompers was an English-born American labor union leader and a key figure in American labor history. He founded the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and served as its president for nearly four decades, from 1886 to 1924.

State Militia

: A state militia is a military force that is raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army in an emergency. It's usually under control of state authorities rather than federal government.

Strikebreakers (Scabs)

: Strikebreakers, often derogatorily referred to as 'scabs,' are individuals who work despite an ongoing strike. They can be workers who cross picket lines to do their jobs, or they might be people hired to replace striking employees.

Yellow-dog Contracts

: A yellow-dog contract is an agreement between an employer and an employee in which the employee agrees not to join a union during the term of employment.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.