Unit 1
Topic: Industrialization and Progressivism (1877-1920)
Ignited by post-Civil War demand and fueled by
technological advancements, large-scale industrialization
began in the United States during the late 1800s.
Growing industries enticed foreign immigration, fostered
urbanization, gave rise to the American labor movement
and developed the infrastructure that facilitated the
settling of the West. A period of progressive reform
emerged in response to political corruption and practices
of big business.
Chapter 2: Rapid Expanding
Workforce
Content Statement: The rise of industrialization led to
a rapidly expanding workforce. Labor organizations
grew amidst unregulated working conditions and
violence toward supporters of organized labor.
Expectations For Learning: Explain the major social
and economic effects of industrialization and the
influence of the growth of organized labor following
Reconstruction in the United States.
Section 1: Workers Needed
Content Elaboration: The rise of industrialization
in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th
centuries increased the demand for workers.
With this demand, immigrants came from other
countries and Americans migrated from other
parts of the United States to take jobs in
industrial centers.
Help Wanted!
• Factory owners needed laborers to work
• There were not enough people in the cities at
first to fill these jobs.
– A. Immigrants came from other countries
– B. Farmers moved to the cities
– C. African-Americans moved to the Northern
cities from the South
OGT Multiple Choice
• _____ (2005 Practice Test) What factor
contributed to the migration of large numbers
of people from Europe to the United States in
the late 19th century?
• A. Economic prosperity in Europe allowed
people to purchase land in the United States
• B. Industrialization in the United States
attracted laborers from Europe.
• C. European social reform movements wanted
to spread their beliefs to the United States.
• D. The United States needed people to
colonize the overseas territories it had recently
acquired
Section 2: Labor Organizations
Content Elaboration: As a result of the changing
nature of work, some members of the working
class formed labor organizations (e.g., American
Railway Union, American Federation of Labor,
Industrial Workers of the World, united Mine
Workers of America” to protect their rights. They
sought to address issues such as working
conditions, wages and terms of employment.
Rise of Labor Unions
• A labor union is a group of workers who get together to
collectively bargain better wages and working
conditions
1. Workers Unite to Improve Working Conditions
•
a. unsafe conditions
•
b. low pay
•
c. long hours
•
d. child labor
2. Owners resisted the unions
a. violence
3. Strikes
a. The Power of the Strike--a strike is a
work stoppage.
b. They do not get paid, but the company
also does not make any money.
c. The company could hire
strikebreakers--they were hired to take
the place of the striking workers. Fights
would often break out between the
workers and the strikebreakers.
The First Unions
A.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
The Knights of Labor
began in 1869 by Uriah Stephens
It started off small, but then grew
Terrence V. Powderly became the leader—membership grew
This union included any worker who wanted to be in it.
This union grew to over 700,000 members.
B.The American Federation of Labor
1. started in 1886 by Samuel Gompers.
2. for skilled workers only
a. Skilled workers were carpenters, bricklayers, etc.
*Both wanted better pay and working conditions for its members!
Other examples of early labor unions
• American Railway Union
• Industrial Workers of the World
• United Mine Workers of America
OGT Multiple Choice
• _____ (Practice Test Booklet, 2005)
During the late 1800’s and early 1900’s,
labor unions in the United States have
been interested in all of the following
EXCEPT
• A. higher wages
• B. longer work week
• C. safer working conditions
• D. shorter work week
OGT Extended Response
• Analyze reasons for the rise and growth of
labor organizations (Knights of Labor,
American Federation of Labor) in the United
States. (4 pts)
OGT Extended Response
What are two things workers must do to
make a strike successful? (2 points)
•In your opinion, are unions good? Why or
why not? (2 points)
Section 3: Labor Organizations
and Violence
Content Elaboration: Labor organizations also
grew due to the violence toward supporters of
organized labor (e.g., Great Railroad Strike,
Haymarket Riot, Homestead Strike, Pullman
Strike)
Haymarket Riots
The Haymarket Square Bombing
-Chicago
-80,000 workers went on strike
-Fights broke out
-police were called in.
-police killed a couple of the strikers.
-someone threw a bomb into the crowd and others
were killed.
-Many people blamed the Knights of Labor for this.
-Membership in unions declined after this riot.
Other Examples of Violence
• Great Railroad Strike
• Homestead Strike
• Pullman Strike