“Robber Barons”, Unions, & Strikes

Union = A group joined together for a common goal / purpose

The Industrial Revolution

• Cheaper goods

• Large Factories = Jobs for Workers

• $$$ of Industry used for good causes

• Dangerous Workplace

• Corrupt Business Practices

• Long hours / low pay for workers

• No competition

Positives Negatives

“Robber Barons”• Monopolies = Complete

control over prices, wages, production

• “Robber Barons” = Use of unethical business tactics– Andrew Carnegie (Steel)– John D. Rockefeller

(Standard Oil)– J.P Morgan (Holding Co.)

• “Robber Barons?” – Carnegie (Donated 90% of

his fortune)– Rockefeller ($500 Million)

Working Conditions

• 7 Day work week

• 12+ hours per day

• No Vacation / Sick Leave

• No health benefits

• 675 Deaths / Week (1882)

• 20% Under 15 years old

• Yearly pay = $498 (1899)– $11,000 (2005)

Labor Union’s Emerge

• American Federation of Labor (AFL) = Skilled Laborers

• Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) = Unskilled Laborers

• Used “Strikes” to force companies to meet their demands for better working conditions– Result = Violence

Strikes & Violence Fuels Progress?• The Haymarket Affair =

Bomb kills police / strikers in Chicago (Public against Labor Unions)

• The Homestead Strike = 6 Month strike broken by National Guard

• The Pullman Car Strike = President orders troops to break the boycott of trains

• The Triangle Factory Fire = Locked up workers burnt alive (146 dead)

Industrial Consolidation:Iron & Steel Firms

Industrial Consolidation:Iron & Steel Firms

U. S. Corporate Mergers

U. S. Corporate Mergers

Iron & Steel ProductionIron & Steel Production