Labor Unions & Big Business

The Knights of Labor

a. Identification
Founded in 1860 by Philadelphia garment cutters, was the only major labor union to survive the depression of the 1870s.

b. Significance
The knights of labor were a result of laborers who became tired of strikes, because they had achieved nothing. They worked more to get long team goals accomplished. Their main goal was to make every man his own boss, to eliminate the profit driven capitalism. This union failed because workers became upset with the passive attitude of the union.

the Haymarket riot

a. Identification
A large group of anti-capitalists gathered at the Haymarket Square in downtown Chicago to protest for more workers rights on May 1886.
b. Significance
This riot, which ended in the death of two unionists, was a result of growing hatred of the capitalist United States Government during this time from workers. This has much to do with the belief during this time that the economic climate could not be controlled, so there was no point for Government to regulate worker's rights in any way. This showed how strong the tension had came and how serious the workers were about their beliefs.

the American Federation of Labor

a. Identification
Began in 1886 and was a major worker's union. Main goal was to fight for immediate rights, no long term goals.

b. Significance
This union's formation was most like due to the failure of the Knights of Labor. The Knights of Labor focused on long term goals. When the Knights failed, many workers were bitter and felt that working for more rights immediately was the best way to go. This, added to the mistreatment of workers at this time by their bosses, led to the formation of this federation.

Samuel Gompers

a. Identification
An immigrant who headed the AFL in the late 1880s.

b. Significance
Gompers had a passion for workers rights that led to his fight for worker's rights through the AFL. He believed strongly in his cause, and this passion helped him lead the AFL to becoming 2.5 million people.

the Homestead strike

a. Identification
A strike that took place in July 1892. The Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steelworkers went on strike in Homestead, Pennsylvania because of pay cuts.

b. Significance
This strike was likely due to the frustration of the lack of results from the efforts of the AFL. When the workers continued to work hard for nothing, they became extremely upset, and violent. This event hurt the AFL and all unions because it made the public opinion on unions darken.

the Pullman strike

a. Identification
The workers started a strike that took place in George Pullman's "model town" due to wage cuts in 1894.

b. Significance
The Pullman strike was a result of George Pullman's policy of not hearing the concerns of his workers in regards to their wage cuts. The workers banded together and fought for their rights in a very intelligent way that showed the determination of the workers to get rights.

Eugene V. Debs

a. Identification
Refused to handle Pullman cars in support of strikers in pullman strike

b. Significance
His refusal to follow the laws and handle the cars both showed how far the workers were away from getting the rights they wanted but also showed how hard they were willing to work for those rights.

the Industrial Workers of the World

a. Identification
A group like the Knights of Labor except a lot more radical. They banded together in the west in 1905.
b. Significance
The IWW was a lot different than a lot of other union groups that had come before them because they were a lot more violent. This is most likely because of the years of failure and frustration in trying to get rights that they were continually denied.