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Lesson 20.4: Workers Organize Today we will trace the beginnings Today we will trace the beginnings of the labor movement through the of the labor movement through the founding of the American founding of the American Federation of Labor Federation of Labor

Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

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Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize. Today we will trace the beginnings of the labor movement through the founding of the American Federation of Labor. Vocabulary. strike – a work stoppage by workers who are demanding better pay or working conditions - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

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Page 1: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Lesson 20.4: Workers Organize Lesson 20.4: Workers Organize

Today we will trace the beginnings of the Today we will trace the beginnings of the labor movement through the founding of labor movement through the founding of

the American Federation of Labor the American Federation of Labor

Today we will trace the beginnings of the Today we will trace the beginnings of the labor movement through the founding of labor movement through the founding of

the American Federation of Labor the American Federation of Labor

Page 2: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Vocabulary • strike – a work stoppage by workers who are

demanding better pay or working conditions• socialism – economic system in which all

members of society are equal owners of all businesses

• union – organization of workers who stand together against their employer to get better pay or working conditions

• utopian – perfect, but unrealistic

Page 3: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Check for Understanding

• What are going to do today?

• Why do most Americans think socialism is a bad idea?

• Why do some workers like belonging to a union?

• Why would some students welcome a teachers’ strike?

Page 4: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

What We Already KnowWhat We Already Know

Workers had begun to form unions in the Workers had begun to form unions in the 1830s1830s, but the , but the Panic of 1837 Panic of 1837 made jobs made jobs

scarce. Workers feared losing their jobs scarce. Workers feared losing their jobs if they participated in strikes, so the if they participated in strikes, so the

young labor movement fell apart.young labor movement fell apart.

Workers had begun to form unions in the Workers had begun to form unions in the 1830s1830s, but the , but the Panic of 1837 Panic of 1837 made jobs made jobs

scarce. Workers feared losing their jobs scarce. Workers feared losing their jobs if they participated in strikes, so the if they participated in strikes, so the

young labor movement fell apart.young labor movement fell apart.

Page 5: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

What We Already Know

Steel baron Andrew Carnegie had become the

richest man in the country by dealing ruthlessly with all his

competitors.

Page 6: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

What We Already Know

The business cycle had repeatedly The business cycle had repeatedly brought periods of economic boom and brought periods of economic boom and

bust throughout the first century of bust throughout the first century of America’s history.America’s history.

The business cycle had repeatedly The business cycle had repeatedly brought periods of economic boom and brought periods of economic boom and

bust throughout the first century of bust throughout the first century of America’s history.America’s history.

Page 7: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

One American’s Story

• In 1867, Mary Harris Jones lost her husband and four children to yellow fever.

• Moving to Chicago, she started a dressmaking business.

Page 8: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

But the great Chicago fire of 1871 destroyed everything she owned.

Instead of giving up in despair, Jones found a

cause to fight for.

Page 9: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Jones became an effective labor leader.

Workers loved her so much that they called her Mother Jones.

Page 10: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Workers Face Hardship

• As business owners in the late 1800s made As business owners in the late 1800s made money, many workers suffered. money, many workers suffered.

• To keep profits high, many business owners ran To keep profits high, many business owners ran their factories as cheaply as they could. their factories as cheaply as they could.

• Some made workers buy their own tools. Some made workers buy their own tools. • Other owners refused to buy safety equipment.Other owners refused to buy safety equipment.

• As business owners in the late 1800s made As business owners in the late 1800s made money, many workers suffered. money, many workers suffered.

• To keep profits high, many business owners ran To keep profits high, many business owners ran their factories as cheaply as they could. their factories as cheaply as they could.

• Some made workers buy their own tools. Some made workers buy their own tools. • Other owners refused to buy safety equipment.Other owners refused to buy safety equipment.

Page 11: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

If a factory became too crowded, the If a factory became too crowded, the owner rarely built a larger one. owner rarely built a larger one.

If a factory became too crowded, the If a factory became too crowded, the owner rarely built a larger one. owner rarely built a larger one.

• Instead, the owner sent part of the work to be Instead, the owner sent part of the work to be done by smaller businesses. done by smaller businesses.

• Critics called these places sweatshops.Critics called these places sweatshops.

• Instead, the owner sent part of the work to be Instead, the owner sent part of the work to be done by smaller businesses. done by smaller businesses.

• Critics called these places sweatshops.Critics called these places sweatshops.

Page 12: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Sweatshops were places where workers labored long hours under

poor conditions for low wages.

• Often, children as young as five years old worked alongside adults.

• Factory and sweatshop workers did the same jobs, such as sewing collars or making buttonholes, all day long.

Page 13: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Both factory and sweatshop owners kept wages low.

• In the 1880s, the average weekly wage was less than $10.

• This barely paid a family’s expenses.

• If a worker missed work due to illness or had any unexpected bills, the family went into debt.

Page 14: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

• Most families could not survive Most families could not survive unless everyone had a job. unless everyone had a job.

• Between Between 18901890 and and 19101910, , 20 percent 20 percent of boysof boys and and 10 percent of girls 10 percent of girls under age 15 under age 15 had full-time jobs.had full-time jobs.

• Most families could not survive Most families could not survive unless everyone had a job. unless everyone had a job.

• Between Between 18901890 and and 19101910, , 20 percent 20 percent of boysof boys and and 10 percent of girls 10 percent of girls under age 15 under age 15 had full-time jobs.had full-time jobs.

Page 15: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Workers began to feel that only other working people could understand their troubles.

• Discontented workers joined together to try to improve their lives, forming labor unions – groups of workers that negotiated with business owners to obtain better wages and working conditions.

Page 16: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

Page 17: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

14. What hardships did workers face in the late 1800s?

A. High union dues and expensive medical insurance

B. Unsafe working conditions and repetitive, boring tasks

C. Low wages and child laborD. Crowded factories and cramped

sweatshopsE. High costs for child care

Choose all that are true!

Page 18: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Why did families send their children to work?

A. They needed the money to support the family.

B. Education was not considered very important in those days.

C. It was considered to build their character.

D. The children were eager to get out into the world.

Page 19: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

How did workers try to improve working conditions?

A. By painting and making repairs to their workplaces in their spare time

B. By forming unions

C. By getting Congress to pass minimum wage laws

D. By forming political parties

Page 20: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Early Unions Early Unions

• The first labor unions began in the mid- 1800s The first labor unions began in the mid- 1800s but were unable to win many improvements for but were unable to win many improvements for workers. workers.

• Some unions joined together to form national Some unions joined together to form national organizations. organizations.

• One of these was the Knights of Labor.One of these was the Knights of Labor.

• The first labor unions began in the mid- 1800s The first labor unions began in the mid- 1800s but were unable to win many improvements for but were unable to win many improvements for workers. workers.

• Some unions joined together to form national Some unions joined together to form national organizations. organizations.

• One of these was the Knights of Labor.One of these was the Knights of Labor.

Page 21: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The Knights of Labor was a loose federation of workers, both skilled and unskilled, from many different trades.

• A skilled worker has spent many years perfecting his job skills under the careful eye of a master craftsman.

• An unskilled worker is one whose only talent is a strong back or willing hands.

Page 22: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Unlike other labor organizations, they also let women and African Americans join.

The Knights supported many social and political changes,

such as women’s suffrage, racial equality, and civil rights for all.

Page 23: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Terence Powderly led the Knights of Labor

• After Powderly took lead-ership in 1879, the Knights flourished, growing to 700,000.

• He worked for better working conditions – an eight-hour day, the abolition of child labor, equal pay for equal work, and the graduated income tax.

Page 24: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The Panic of 1873 Weakened the Labor Movement

• Then, beginning in 1873, the United States fell Then, beginning in 1873, the United States fell into another serious economic depression. into another serious economic depression.

• Over the next four years, millions of workers took Over the next four years, millions of workers took pay cuts, and about one-fifth lost their jobs.pay cuts, and about one-fifth lost their jobs.

• Then, beginning in 1873, the United States fell Then, beginning in 1873, the United States fell into another serious economic depression. into another serious economic depression.

• Over the next four years, millions of workers took Over the next four years, millions of workers took pay cuts, and about one-fifth lost their jobs.pay cuts, and about one-fifth lost their jobs.

Page 25: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The Railroad Strike of 1877

• In July 1877, the Baltimore and Ohio (B & O) Railroad declared a wage cut of 10 percent.

• On the day the pay cut was to go into effect, B & O workers refused to run the trains.

• No labor union had called the strike: the workers themselves had stopped working on their own.

Page 26: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The Railroad Strike of 1877The Railroad Strike of 1877

• As the news spread, workers in many cities and in other industries joined in.

• This threw the country into turmoil.

• As the news spread, workers in many cities and in other industries joined in.

• This threw the country into turmoil.

Page 27: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

In several cities, state militias battled angry mobs.

In several cities, state militias battled angry mobs.

• President Rutherford B. President Rutherford B. Hayes Hayes called out federal called out federal troops. troops.

• Before the two-week Before the two-week strike ended, strike ended, dozens of dozens of people were killedpeople were killed..

• President Rutherford B. President Rutherford B. Hayes Hayes called out federal called out federal troops. troops.

• Before the two-week Before the two-week strike ended, strike ended, dozens of dozens of people were killedpeople were killed..

Page 28: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

• The strike did not prevent the railroad pay The strike did not prevent the railroad pay cut, but it showed how angry American cut, but it showed how angry American workers had become. workers had become.

• In 1884–1885, railroaders again went out In 1884–1885, railroaders again went out on strike, this time against the Union on strike, this time against the Union Pacific and two other railroads.Pacific and two other railroads.

• The strike did not prevent the railroad pay The strike did not prevent the railroad pay cut, but it showed how angry American cut, but it showed how angry American workers had become. workers had become.

• In 1884–1885, railroaders again went out In 1884–1885, railroaders again went out on strike, this time against the Union on strike, this time against the Union Pacific and two other railroads.Pacific and two other railroads.

Page 29: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The strikers, who were members of the Knights of Labor, gained nationwide attention when they won their strike.

Hundreds of thousands of new workers joined

the union, and its national prestige grew.

Page 30: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

Page 31: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

How did the Knights of Labor differ from other unions?

A. It admitted only skilled workers.

B. It admitted unskilled as well as skilled workers.

C. It did not try to bring about utopian social changes.

D. It allowed women and African Americans to become members.

Page 32: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

What were the effects of the depression of 1873 for workers?

A. Election of anti–union president Rutherford B. Hayes

B. Widespread pay cuts

C. Unemployment as high as 20 percent

D. The Railroad Strike of 1877

E. Formation of the Knights of Labor

Page 33: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

What events helped strengthen the Knights of Labor from the late 1870s

to the mid-1880s?

A. the election of Terence Powderly to lead the union

B. Congress' adoption of the minimum wage law

C. the successful strike against the railroads in 1884-1885

D. the acceptance of the 8-hour dayE. successful negotiation of the Pullman

contract

Page 34: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

What did the Railroad Strike of 1877 demonstrate?

A. It showed just how angry American workers had become.

B. It showed how strong the National Rail Workers' Union had become.

C. It showed how important it was for Congress to pass new anti-union laws.

D. It showed that the Knights of Labor had abandoned its commitment to non-violence.

Page 35: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Union SetbacksUnion Setbacks

• The growth of labor unions scared many business leaders.

• They blamed the labor movement on socialists and anarchists.

Page 36: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Business and government leaders feared socialism and anarchism.

• Socialism is a system in which all members of society are equal owners of all businesses.

• They share in the work and profits.

• Anarchists are far more extreme, wanting to get rid of all governments.

Page 37: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Businessmen tried to break union power.

• In Chicago in 1886, the McCormick Harvester Company locked out striking union members and hired strikebreakers to replace them.

• On May 3, union On May 3, union members, strikebreakers, members, strikebreakers, and police clashed, and and police clashed, and one union member was one union member was killed.killed.

• In Chicago in 1886, the McCormick Harvester Company locked out striking union members and hired strikebreakers to replace them.

• On May 3, union On May 3, union members, strikebreakers, members, strikebreakers, and police clashed, and and police clashed, and one union member was one union member was killed.killed.

Page 38: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Union members held a protest rally in Chicago at Haymarket Square.

Held on a rainy evening the day after the McCormick clash,

the rally was small.

Held on a rainy evening the day after the McCormick clash,

the rally was small.

Page 39: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The Haymarket AffairThe Haymarket Affair

• As police moved in to end the meeting, an unknown person threw a bomb.

• The bomb killed 7 police and wounded about 60.

• The police then opened fire on the crowd, killing several people and wounding about a hundred.

• As police moved in to end the meeting, an unknown person threw a bomb.

• The bomb killed 7 police and wounded about 60.

• The police then opened fire on the crowd, killing several people and wounding about a hundred.

Page 40: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Police arrested hundreds of union leaders, socialists, and anarchists.

• After the Haymarket Square bombing, opposition to unions increased.

• The membership in the Knights of Labor dropped rapidly—even though that wasn’t the union that had called the meeting at Haymarket Square.

Page 41: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

Page 42: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Why did business and government leaders fear unions?

A. The unions had strong political support from President Cleveland.

B. They blamed unionism for the depressions that had occurred in 1837, 1873, and 1894.

C. Many unions were beginning to create their own militia forces.

D. They believed unions encourage socialism and anarchism.

Page 43: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

15. What happened to unions after the protest at Haymarket Square?

A. Eugene V. Debs replaced Powderly as head of the Knights.

B. Public opposition to unions grew.C. Union membership declined

dramatically.D. Hundreds of union leaders were

arrested.E. Socialists and anarchists took over

leadership of the unions.

Choose all that are true!

Page 44: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The Homestead and Pullman Strikes

The Homestead and Pullman Strikes

• Labor conflicts grew more bitter. • In 1892, Andrew Carnegie reduced wages at

his steel mills in Homestead, Pennsylvania, but the union refused to accept the cut.

• Labor conflicts grew more bitter. • In 1892, Andrew Carnegie reduced wages at

his steel mills in Homestead, Pennsylvania, but the union refused to accept the cut.

Page 45: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Carnegie’s company locked out the striking workers.

• The company also announced that it would hire The company also announced that it would hire nonunion labor. nonunion labor.

• The company also hired 300 armed guards. The company also hired 300 armed guards. • In response, the locked out workers gathered In response, the locked out workers gathered

weapons.weapons.

• The company also announced that it would hire The company also announced that it would hire nonunion labor. nonunion labor.

• The company also hired 300 armed guards. The company also hired 300 armed guards. • In response, the locked out workers gathered In response, the locked out workers gathered

weapons.weapons.

Page 46: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The guards arrived on July 6, and a battle broke out that left ten people dead.

The guards arrived on July 6, and a battle broke out that left ten people dead.

• The Pennsylvania state militia began to escort the nonunion workers to the mills.

• After four months, the strike collapsed, breaking the union.

• The Pennsylvania state militia began to escort the nonunion workers to the mills.

• After four months, the strike collapsed, breaking the union.

Page 47: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The Panic of 1893• In 1893, the country went into another economic

depression, and many railroad companies went bankrupt.

• To stay in business, the Pullman Palace Car Company, which made railroad cars, cut workers’ pay 25 percent.

Page 48: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Most Pullman workers lived in a town owned by the company itself.

Most Pullman workers lived in a town owned by the company itself.

But despite the wage cut, Pullman did not lower the rent

it charged workers to live in company housing.

But despite the wage cut, Pullman did not lower the rent

it charged workers to live in company housing.

After their rent was deducted from the lower pay, many

Pullman workers took home almost nothing.

Page 49: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

In 1894, Pullman workers went on strike. • The Pullman Strike spread throughout the The Pullman Strike spread throughout the

rail industry. rail industry. • American Railway Union president Eugene American Railway Union president Eugene

V. Debs called on all U.S. railroad workers V. Debs called on all U.S. railroad workers to refuse to handle Pullman cars.to refuse to handle Pullman cars.

• The Pullman Strike spread throughout the The Pullman Strike spread throughout the rail industry. rail industry.

• American Railway Union president Eugene American Railway Union president Eugene V. Debs called on all U.S. railroad workers V. Debs called on all U.S. railroad workers to refuse to handle Pullman cars.to refuse to handle Pullman cars.

Page 50: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The Pullman strike made rail traffic in much of the country come to a halt.

• President Grover Cleveland President Grover Cleveland called out federal troops, called out federal troops, which ended the strike. which ended the strike.

• Debs was put in jail.Debs was put in jail.

• President Grover Cleveland President Grover Cleveland called out federal troops, called out federal troops, which ended the strike. which ended the strike.

• Debs was put in jail.Debs was put in jail.

Page 51: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

Page 52: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Why did the Homestead workers go on strike?

A. The company had cut workers' wages.

B. Workers became angry when they learned that Eugene V. Debs had been jailed.

C. The union objected to the unsafe working conditions.

D. The company did not lower the rent on its company housing.

Page 53: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Why did the Pullman workers go on strike?

A. The company had cut workers' wages.

B. Workers became angry when they learned that Eugene V. Debs had been jailed.

C. The union objected to the unsafe working conditions.

D. The company did not lower the rent on its company housing.

Choose all that are true!

Page 54: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Who was Eugene V. Debs?

A. Former president of the Knights of Labor

B. President of the American Federation of Labor

C. American Railway Union president

D. Leader of the Homestead railroad workers’ strike

Page 55: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

16. How did the federal and state governments help to end the

Homestead and Pullman strikes?

A. Military force was used to arrest union leaders and protect non–union workers.

B. Private security forces broke strikes by attacking union workers.

C. New waves of immigrants were brought in to replace striking workers.

D. A series of anti–union laws were passed by Congress and state legislatures.

Page 56: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Some Workers Are Treated Fairly

• Not all companies treated workers as harshly as Carnegie and Pullman did.

• For instance, in the 1880s, the soap company Procter & Gamble began to give its employees an extra half day off a week.

• It also began a profit-sharing plan, in which a company gives part of its profits to workers.

• But most workers received low wages and few benefits.

Page 57: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Gompers Founds the AFL

• In spite of failed strikes and opposition to unions, the labor movement did not die.

• In 1886, labor leader Samuel Gompers helped found a new national organization of unions known as the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

• Gompers would serve as its president for 37 years.

Page 58: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The AFL Differs from Other Labor Unions

• Unlike the Knights of Labor and other unions of that day, the AFL was open only to skilled workers.

• Also, it did not pursue social changes or utopian goals, such as women’s suffrage or racial equality.

Page 59: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The AFL tried to win better working conditions for its members.

• Because skilled workers were difficult for factory owners to replace, the AFL could use the tactic of strikes to accomplish its goals.

• It also employed boycotts

and conducted negotiation

with factory owners and

managers.

Page 60: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

The AFL tried to win better working conditions for its members.

• As a result, the AFL won better pay, shorter hours and safer working conditions for workers.

• By 1904, it had attracted about 1.7 million members.

Page 61: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Labor unions helped change the way all Americans work.

• Today, many Americans work 40 hours per Today, many Americans work 40 hours per week instead of the 10-to12-hour days of week instead of the 10-to12-hour days of most 19most 19thth century workers. century workers.

• The 8-hour day was one benefit won by labor The 8-hour day was one benefit won by labor unions. unions.

• Other benefits unions won include workers’ Other benefits unions won include workers’ compensation, pensions, and paid vacation.compensation, pensions, and paid vacation.

• Today, many Americans work 40 hours per Today, many Americans work 40 hours per week instead of the 10-to12-hour days of week instead of the 10-to12-hour days of most 19most 19thth century workers. century workers.

• The 8-hour day was one benefit won by labor The 8-hour day was one benefit won by labor unions. unions.

• Other benefits unions won include workers’ Other benefits unions won include workers’ compensation, pensions, and paid vacation.compensation, pensions, and paid vacation.

Page 62: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Unions continue to fight to improve the lives of working Americans.

• In recent years they have tried to increase benefits for part-time and temporary workers.

• They have also fought for safety standards to prevent job-related injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

• In recent years they have tried to increase benefits for part-time and temporary workers.

• They have also fought for safety standards to prevent job-related injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Page 63: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Get your whiteboards and markers ready!

Page 64: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

Who was Samuel Gompers?

A. Former president of the Knights of Labor

B. President of the American Federation of Labor

C. American Railway Union president

D. Leader of the Homestead railroad workers’ strike

Page 65: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

How did the AFL differ from other unions?

A. It never used strikes, boycotts, or violence.

B. All its members were skilled workers, who were difficult to replace during a strike.

C. President Hayes had given it his support.

D. It had its own well-trained and well-armed security people

Page 66: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

17. What were the American Federation of Labor’s goals for workers?

A. Higher wages

B. Women’s suffrage

C. Better working conditions

D. Shorter hours

E. Equal pay for women and minorities.

Choose all that are true!

Page 67: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

18. How did the American Federation of Labor achieve its goals?

A. Strikes

B. Negotiations

C. The Haymarket Bombing

D. Boycotts

E. Legislation

Choose all that are true!

Page 68: Lesson 20.4 : Workers Organize

What are some benefits workers enjoy today because of the past

actions of labor unions?

A. The 8-hour day and the 40-hour work week

B. Binding arbitration of contract negotiations

C. Worker's compensationD. Profit-sharingE. Pensions and paid vacations

Choose all that are true!