INDUSTRIAL AMERICA IN
THE LATE 19TH CENTURY
CHAPTER 14
THE SECOND INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
• Not unique to US, important part of European history as
well
• “Age of Steel”, it the most important product: Henry
Bessemer invented a better refining process. Great Lakes
region important b/c it has good transportation, and is
near(er) ore sources. Cities like Detroit, Pittsburgh, and
Cleveland have booms
• Chemicals and electricity also taking off. Corporate
banks allow greater capital for investment. Significant
increases in consumer goods
• By 1900 US is the largest, most powerful econ in the
world, with 75% of our citizens working jobs OTHER than
agriculture
FACTORS THAT ENCOURAGE GROWTH
• Labor
• Pop of US doubled from
1865-1900, due to natural
increase and
immigration- 14,000,000
arrive, most become
industrial workers
• The Civil War/Pro
Business
• Had allowed the
north to put many
“pro-business”
policies in place, like
tariffs, fiscal
regulation etc… and
those stayed after
reconstruction
RAILROADS
• Gov’t subsidized building of 1st Transcontinental
(Union Pacific) realizing it would be unprofitable
until more people settled
• Other lines:
• Northern Pacific: Minneapolis to Seattle
• Atchison, Topeka, Santa Fe line
• Southern Pacific: New Orleans to Los Angeles
• Railroad vital, linked the country, creating the
largest integrated market in the world
• Led to the creation of Time Zones
• Supported growth of cities (ship in food)
• Created the “Robber Barons”
NEW INDUSTRIES
• Building RR helped
grow Steel, Coal
and lumber industry.
Led to new
inventions: Air
Break, refrigerator
cars
COMMUNICATIONS
• Telegraph invented
1844, has been
transcontinental
since 1861- 200,000
mi of telegraph lines
by 1880
• Telephone invented
1876, but 1900 there
are 1.3 million
telephones in US
INNOVATION AND TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT :
EDISON
• 1790-1860: 36,000 patents.
• 1860-1900: 1.5 million patents
• Thomas Edison: “the Wizard of Menlo Park”. Most
famous “inventor” of the era. Electric light (through
the light bulb), and machines to generate
electricity- which is more reliable than steam. Also
invented phonograph, mimeograph (copies),
Dictaphone, and the 1st projector for moving
pictures. Cites became “electrified” overnightrevolutionized urban living
• George Westinghouse: transmission of electricity.
HENRY FORD
• Did NOT invent the automobile.
(that was Karl Benz in Germany) But did improve the
internal combustion engine, and most importantly,
invented the Assembly Line Process for
manufacturing cars, with each worker assigned a
single task. Workers actually hated it, so Ford had to
pay higher wages to get them to stay, $5 a day.
• This cut production costs, so Ford was able to
“democratize” the automobile by building the
Model T (1908) which at $400 was within reach for
the majority of the middle class (became a symbol
of middle class lifestyle)
CORNELIUS VANDERBILT
• 1st of the “Robber Barons”. Developed a near
monopoly of RR lines in the east- and amasses over
$100 million in his lifetime.
• Used “Pools” (defensive alliances with competition
to protect each others interests, divide the market).
Gave rebates and kickbacks to large corporations,
and squeezed others out of business- by any means
necessary.
• “Law! What care I about Law!
I have something better- Power”.
JAY GOULD
• Controlled Western RR.
• Had the ability to control agricultural prices by
controlling the rates they paid for shipment.
• “Stock Watering” inflated the value of his company
by issuing more and more shares to force others out
of business.
• Involved in gov’t corruption (bribes, kickbacks etc..)
SEA BASED TRANSPORTATION AND
NEW COMMUNICATION
• Steam powered ships can travel faster, and go from
ocean to river.
• Refrigeration made it possible to send perishable
food products (especially meat and dairy)
worldwide- particularly important to US and
Australia
TELEGRAPHS
• By 1870s there are
650,000 miles of
telegraph wire
worldwide
(including
transatlantic cable)
so communication
takes minutes, not
weeks
CANALS
• Both significant
engineering feats
• Suez: English
completed 1869
• Panama: US
completed 1914
COMPETITION AND CONSOLIDATION
• With more and more companies involved in industrycompetition grew intense. Cut expenses, undersell the
competition, do what it takes.
• RR first industry to work together to increase their own
profits (at expense of consumer), and other major
industries: oil, steel, coal, and textiles weren’t far behind.
• Even as industry is growing the number of corporations is
shrinking as the strong gobble up the weak (ex. There
were 2000 textile mills in 1860, 1300 in 1900)
• Occasional financial panics spur this along, smaller corps
tend to go bankrupt
POOLS AND TRUSTS
• Obviously eliminating competition allows
corporations to make more $$. The ultimate goal for
many; monopoly.
• Pools: divide the market- giving a share to specific
“competing” corporations- which allows them to
charge higher prices
• Trusts: “Rival” companies are actually owned by the
same person/corporation- so it “looks” like there is
competition where there is none
SUPREME COURT
• Robber Barons initially supported by gov’t, after all, they
were making America $$. But econ troubles in 1870s
(during which many smaller businesses went bankrupt
and were swallowed) changed thinking – esp in regards
to RR
• Wabash Case 1886: said states could not regulate
corporations engaged in interstate trade, that would
have to be the federal government. Leads to
• Interstate Commerce Act 1887: which created Interstate
commerce commission to monitor trade. Forbid pools
and trusts, required RR to publish rates (so they would be
the same for all customers). Unfortunately not a very
effective law- has no “teeth”.
INTER LOCKING DIRECTORATES
• So businesses look for new ways. JP Morgan (US
Steel) pioneered having people from various
companies serve on each others boards of
directors. That way, they could ensure
communication and smooth business without
violating rules
• Also used “Holding Companies” set up dummy
corporations which would buy controlling interests in
other companies, and maintain them separately,
but work them together
NEW INDUSTRIALISTS
• Robber Barons were controversial. They were
definitely looking out for #1, but their companies
provided millions of jobs, and thousands of new
consumer products.
• Also represent the idea of the American Dream. Not
all were from privileged backgrounds, “anyone”
could end up a millionaire.
STEEL
• Cornerstone of the Second IR- typified “Heavy
Industry” which concentrates on making capital
goods rather than consumer goods.
• Steel will create the RR and Skyscrapers.
• By 1900, the US will produce as much steel as Great
Britain and Germany combined
ANDREW CARNEGIE
• A classic “rags to riches” story. Immigrated as a
teen with poor parents, began work in a textile mill
for $1.20 a week, and rose from there
• 1872 He met Henry Bessemer in England, and
quickly realized the potential of the Bessemer steel
process.
• He didn’t like trusts and pools, so he found a
different way to organize….
VERTICAL INTEGRATION
• Carnegie set up his company so that it controlled, or
held and interest in all the phases of production: raw
materials, transportation, manufacturing and distribution.
Carnegie bought iron fields, coal mines, limestone
quarries, and coke factories to make sure he had
materials he needed
• By 1890 Carnegie produced ¼ of the steel in the US.
Henry Frick ran the steel business, Carnegie focused on
promotion, expansion, and organization
• Eventually sold his company (Carnegie Steel) to JP
Morgan (US Steel) for $400 million, and spent the rest of
his life giving his $$ away to build libraries, schools etc…
JD ROCKEFELLER
• From Cleveland OH  Interesting
combination of religion and greed
(God helps those who help themselves)
Gets into the oil industry after the warwhich was just beginning, and actually
centered in Western PA at the time
(shale oil)
• Use Horizontal Integration: Buy out the
competition. Rockefeller would sell at a
loss to drive others out of business.
TRUSTS (CHANGE OUTLINE HEADING)
• Rockefeller wants a monopoly on oil- and that’s
illegal, so it’s time to get creative….
• Trust: stockholders in various oil companies sell their
shares, and authority to board of directors from
Rockefeller’s Standard Oil Co. Though they are still
“owners”, Rockefeller’s group has the power, and
he ends up controlling 95% of the oil industry in the
US.
• Died in 1897 with a company worth $900 million,
BEFORE the auto industry…. Like Carnegie,
Rockefeller gave away over $500 million- part of the
paradox of the Robber Barrons.
JP MORGAN
• The only one of the “Big 3” born rich- and
his specialty is investment banking and deals
(rather than an actual product or single company)
• Used the econ crisis of 1893 to buy weak companies, sell
of pieces, and make them profitable (hostile takeover)
• Used Interlocking Directorates to get around burgeoning
anti-trust legislation- holding companies and same
people on boards of directors of different companies.
• Also liked consolidating industries, he bought steel
companies until he was big enough to rival Carnegie,
made him an offer he couldn’t refuse, and made US
Steel the first billion dollar company in the world (and
more than the wealth of the entire nation in 1800)
THE PHILOSOPHY OF BUSINESS
• Industrialization came from Capitalism- the idea is
an economy where you pursue your own goals for
your own gains….and if you are successful great, if
you are not…..too bad so sad
• This is not a new idea- Europeans/Americans have
been using it since 16th century. This is just on a
gigantic scale.
FREE MARKET ECONOMICS
• Adam Smith didn’t invent capitalism- he defined it
in “The Wealth of Nations” 1776. Mercantilism had
defined the earth’s wealth as limited by land, that
why you needed colonies etc… so you could have
a bigger share. Smith said no, infinite resources were
available
• The “invisible hand” (make it stop….so creepy) is the
force behind the economy. Gov’t
should provide schools, army/navy,
roads, and $$ to invest in things too
big (like transcontinental RR)
LAISSEZ FAIRE
• Free Market is a cycle- it will have ups and downs,
and that’s natural.
• When there are problems, gov’t needs to resist
temptation of jump in and fix, which might help
short term, but in the long run, Smith said the free
market will create more wealth (but for whom?) if
left alone
• David Ricardo and Thomas Malthus had agreed in
their Iron Laws- saying you can’t fix social problems,
leave them alone
SOCIAL DARWINISM
HERBERT SPENCER
• Charles Darwin’s theories of evolution and survival of the
fittest were widely discussed in the 19th century. Darwin
himself focused purely on the biological, but others took
things in a different direction.
• Herbert Spencer: applied survival of the fittest to
humans, to justify the wealth of industrialists, they have
risen to the top to dominate those the weak to help
themselves. (as with those like Carnegie or Rockefeller
who were from modest backgrounds) Also used to justify
the racism of European Imperialism
• Interesting ties to the concept of “Divine Right of Kings”
SOCIAL IMPACTS OF
INDUSTRIALIZATION
• There have been wealthy people in US since beginningbut in early generations the bulk of $$ was reinvested, in
land, in the business, whatever.
• Now there were more people with massive incomes who
wanted to show their wealth, using it to impress and
improve their social standing- represents a change in
attitude
CONSPICUOUS CONSUMPTION
• The idea that you want people to SEE your
wealth, to impress. 1st defined by Thorstein
Veblen (great name) in The Theory of the
Leisure Class. The trappings of wealth
became visible, and idea was anyone
can reach that level with work.
• Acres of Diamonds: A popular book of
stories of ordinary people who gained into
enormous fortunes often through blind
luck (along with purity and hard workHoratio Alger: also Famous for rags to
riches stories.)
• The idea that it could happen to
“anyone” kept many blind to the gap
between rich and poor.
GOSPEL OF WEALTH
• Another justification of wealth of
industrialists- exemplified by Andrew
Carnegie and JD Rockefeller.
• Their $$ was a reward from God for their work and
skills- but should be used primarily for the
betterment of mankind.(rather than conspicuous
consumption) Did not advocate “handouts” as that
would stifle initiative, but donating to allow
underclasses to help themselves. Donations for
libraries, museums, universities, scholarships for
deserving, halls for music/lecture etc….
SHERMAN ANTI-TRUST ACT (NOT ON
OUTLINE)
• 1890- there is beginning to be a public outcry
against the power of trusts.
• Law forbids businesses to operate in “restraint of
trade”. Unfortunately, doesn’t full designate what
that is. Became known as “paper tiger” b/c it
sounded good, but had no teeth- lots of ways
around, actually more trusts were created in the
decade AFTER this law created that before!
• Actually most effective when used to curb the
power of early labor unions (saying strikes restrained
trade etc…)
SOCIAL CLASS DISTINCTIONS
• Traditionally, wealth came from, and was tied up in
land- people who were “rich” didn’t always have
bunches of cash. But industry requires Capital- $$ to
start, and it could be risky, it could disappear.
(which land didn’t)
• As Industry became the driving force of the econ,
the $$ based society it created changed on many
levels
FACTORY WORKERS
• Unskilled laborer. Their work is dirty and tedious, with
no accident protection. Everyone in family works,
and still up to ¾ of wages earned needed for food.
• No job security, can be fired at any time, for any
reason- and bosses justified actions with Social
Darwinism, seeing the workers as just a cog in the
wheel of industrialization.
ASSEMBLY LINE MANUFACTURING
• Interchangeable parts and assembly lines made
workers jobs boring- which actually increased
accident rates, as workers might zone out. Anyone
could do the job, which gave individual workers
little bargaining power. Immigrants/unemployed
literally stood outside factories waiting for an
opportunity….so who cared what current workers
thought/needed
WORKING WOMEN (NOT ON OUTLINE)
• Cities gave women greater career opportunities- there
were over 5 million female workers in 1900. Middle and
upper class women did not work (esp after marriage)
not socially acceptable, but “might” before married in
top of 3 tiers of “women’s work”
• 1. Service Jobs. Teachers/Nurses, most “respected” jobs.
Clerk/secretary, shop girl, seamstress, telephone operator also
respectable- generally open only to “American” girls, not
immigrants
• 2. Factory work- had variations, could be/become respectable
and allow social mobility, or could be sweatshop horrible
• 3. Domestic Servant. Represented 40% of working women.
Again, there were respectable positions (Governess, Cook,
etc…) but generally the bottom class. Most likely to be foreign
born or African American.
INDUSTRY/FARMING
• 3/5 of American lived outside major cities in 1900, but
their lives were impacted by industrialization as well
• Great plains farmers needed machinery to make $$.
And food prices were falling in late 1800s (due in part to
increased competition from places like Australia and
Canada, which came from RR and Steamships)
• Many farmers in debt for machinery, and at mercy of RR
storage and shipping rates.
• Farmers also losing status in society- the idea of the
“country bumpkin” compared to the sophisticated city
dweller.
GAP BETWEEN RICH AND POOR
• Factory workers lived in the shadow of econ insecurity
(millions lost jobs every year) or possible disaster- 35,000 a
year die in work accidents- highest rate in world
• On other hand, richest 1% of Americans Control 50% of
the wealth in the nation(today they still have 40%) if you
take the “poorest” 40% of the population, they
controlled 1.2% of the wealth
• Middle classes are moving to the suburbs, and wealthy
to the enclaves (Nob Hill, Newport RI, “millionaire’s row”)
NOUVEAU RICHE
• Robber Barons were the the apex of a new “leisure
class” that began to emerge in America after the Civil
War, people who had been born rich, and would never
NEED to work.
• Older American aristocracy deeply resentful b/c they
felt econ power gained by this group was not being
used for good (public service etc) Many, like the
Roosevelt's, became anti-trust crusaders
• Deepening class divides, but overall, the stand of living in
the US is rising, and in large part b/c of the econ
created by Barons- despite monopolies, consumer
goods getting cheaper, and they employed millions
LIFE OF THE WEALTHY
• Rich led increasingly separate lives from the “great
unwashed” of normal humanity. Had private
schools and clubs, travelled to Europe (Grand Tour)
Owned multiple houses, employed dozens of
servants
• Believe that each class has their place in the social
order, shouldn’t challenge, shouldn’t mingle, but
also allows social mobility.
DEMOGRAPHIC TRANSITION
• Birth rates falling as children lose their econ value.
• Self improvement (education etc…) became
strongly valued in society- esp for middle classes,
which meant children spent far longer as
dependents, into their early 20s
• Low birthrates and declining death rates
(improvements in hygiene and santiation) stabilizes
population levels in most western societies by
around 1900.
• Standard of living rising, even for factory workers,
most are surviving above subsistence level
URBAN GROWTH
• In 1860 there was no city in the US with over a million
people (not even NYC), but by 1890, there were 3
(NYC, Chicago, Philadelphia) and in 1900 NYC had
3.5 million and was the 2nd largest city in the world
• By 1920 ½ of Americans lived in communities of
more than 2500 people – towns if not cities.
SKYSCRAPERS
• Steel allowed building to go UP rather than just OUTand elevators made upper floors desirable
• 1st Steel skyscraper was built in 1885: the Home
Insurance building in Chicago- 10 stories
• Louis Sullivan of NY was an important architect in
early skyscraper design
Steel used in Bridges too: esp. Suspension bridges like
the Brooklyn Bridge (John Roebling)
CHANGES TO CITIES
• Early cities were built near water- manufacturing
cities didn’t need to be- they needed to be near
the RR.
• Growing cities needed planning- which they didn’t
always get. Wider, straighter streets, in a grid
pattern (electric lines). Often used numbers for
streets- easier for immigrant population to
understand
• Cities are still a hot mess….but we are starting to
work on it….
DEPARTMENT STORES
• Copied from London/Paris, stores like Harrod’s and
Bon Marche. Drew people to shop in Urban
commercial centers with large selections and
discount prices “One stop shopping”. Became
luxuirous showplaces of gilded age architecture.
• Rural areas couldn’t compete- begins the slow
demise of “Mom and Pop” local stores
• Macy’s Founded 1858
• Marshall Fields (Chicago) 1852
• Woolworths founded 1878
DEVELOPMENT OF URBAN DISTRICTS
• As cities grew various areas became more specialized- with
population divided ethnically and socially between city center and
suburbs
• Mass transportation allowed people to live away from city center
(desirable for middle class) Cable and electric streetcars provide
transit in town, common by 1890s. Short Railway lines bring people in
from suburbs.
• No traffic rules, or pollution regulations, or sanitation regulations,
cities were dirty and dangerous
NEW MIGRANTS AND IMMIGRANTS
• Tough econ conditions for farmers, and plentiful
factory jobs brought many rural people to the cities.
African Americans fled sharecropping- creating
larger populations of black Americans in Northern
cities than had ever been
• Mid 1800s-WWI is also the time of the refugeepeople leaving Europe to start a new life in land
where they believed “the streets were paved with
gold”. 1835-1935 75 million people leave Europe,
the largest % settle here (Canada, Australia, New
Zealand and S Africa also popular)
THREE WAVES
• Before 1840 the majority of Immigrants were Anglo Saxon,
German or Scandinavian. Most were literate and easily adapted
to American society
• 1840-50s: Largest groups the Irish (potato famine) and Germans
(revolutions). German stereotype was of hard workers, (though
later that will change) Irish seen as lazy and immoral. Became
America’s 1st proletariat
• Late 1800s:(1860-70s): More than ¾ still coming from northern and
western Europe- people coming specifically to take part in econ
opportunity of IR
• Early 1900s: (1880-1920) 27 million will arrive- with the largest
numbers from southern (Italy) fleeing econ instability, and Eastern
(Russia/Poland) Europe. Fleeing Revolution/Repression Also largest
period of Jewish immigration. (persecution) Had a lot more
trouble assimilating, and didn’t always try…instead worked to
maintain their own cultural heritage. 25% of those who come will
make $$ and go back to Europe
ELLIS ISLAND
• Opened in 1892 (replace Castle Gardens) functions
until 1954. 1/3 of Americans have an ancestor they
can trace to Ellis Island.
• “Processed” 12 million immigrants. Questioned
about family, occupation, amount of $$ with you
(they want you to have at least $18). Given a
medical inspection. 2% turned away
• Immigrants tended to stay in large cities where they
could find factory (unskilled) jobs, and get help from
countrymen.
URBAN NEIGHBORHOODS
• Immigrants tended to feel more comfortable within their
own cultural groups (language, customs, relatives etc…)
Most large US cities had areas like “little Italy,
“Chinatown”, “German Village” etc…
• Areas with large numbers of Souther/Eastern Europeans
tended to be known as “Ghettos”, indicating that those
types of immigrants were less desirable
• Immigrants live in Tenements: 7-8 stories (no elevator) 1
window, little ventilation, no plumbing- and everyone in
one room. Lower East Side in NYC. Jacob Ris: How the
Other Half Lives, Lincoln Steffens: The Shame of the Cities,
Upton Sinclair: The Jungle
NATIVISM
• Had started with reaction against Irish immigration in
1st wave- became even stronger (and the Irish
joined in ) against Southern/Eastern European
immigrants.
• Fear was that “Anglo-Saxon” heritage would be
diluted and lost, and angry about the fact that
immigrants waves of immigrants kept industrial
wages low.
• American Protective Association founded 1887
designed to prevent Catholics from holding office.
LIMITING IMMIGRATION
• Began in earnest in 1880s: US rejected
paupers (that’s why you need $18),
criminals, convicts, and insane.
• Chinese Immigration targeted with Chinese
immigration act 1882, which eliminated for 10 years
(lasted until 1943)
• Japanese also limited- and legally segregated
when they arrived. 1906 Pres Roosevelt and
Emperor reached a “Gentlemen’s Agreement”
whereby the Emperor would limit immigration, and
President would take care of segregation.
LABOR UNIONS
• Industrial workers helped companies make millions in
profit- but didn’t get much themselves. There was a
virtually endless supply of unskilled labor available from
immigration- individual workers had little power.
• The idea of a union has been around since middle ages:
the guild. But those were for skilled workers. US labor
movement will begin after the Civil War
• Both Business and Gov’t considered Collectivization of
Labor as illegal (just starting to get worried about
socialism/communism) b/c it “restrains trade”
• Strikes very controversial- and often violent (business
would bring in Scabs, or police/troops)
YELLOW DOG CONTRACTS
• In order to get hired, workers were often required to
sign an “ironclad oath” where they swore never to
join a union, or participate in strikes etc…
• Public also often unsympathetic- saw them as
“unamerican” and socialistic- after all, our wages
were the highest in the world.
• Early on the most successful unions were Local, and
specific to a particular profession (bricklayer etc…)
KNIGHTS OF LABOR
• 1st attempt to nationalize unions came in 1866 with the
National Labor Union, but it fell apart in the panic of
1873.
• Knights of Labor founded 1869 as a secret society in
Philadelphia. Led by Terence Powderly became “public”
in 1879-93. All “workers” welcome (including women and
blacks- but not liquor dealers, lawyers or stockbrokers)had moderate, not radical goals. 700,000 members in
1886
• Economic and Social Reform: Wanted 8 hour day, end
to child labor, equal pay for all workers in same job, and
a graduated income tax.
• Lost credibility in the “Great Upheaval” a series of strikes
(primarily against RR)
MOLLY MAGUIRES
• Founded 1875 by Irish Coal Miners in PA/WV. Secret
society- used arson, intimidation, and violence to
protest the owners refusal to allow unions.
• Owners call in the Pinkerton detectives (essentially
para-military for hire) to infiltrate and break up the
union
• 20 Mollies hanged in 1877
• Controversial- some saw them as martyrs for labor,
others as a symbol of working class anarchy that
needed to be contained.
ANARCHISM
• Tension between labor and management led to 1st
US interest in radical political organizations. Idea
had been born in Europe in Revolutions of 1830s-40s
(or 1905 if you are Russia)
• Anarchists believe all governments are abusive, the
rich and powerful exploit the working class. Like
Marx (who had said the same thing) they felt that
eventually governments would fall apart due to
their own corruption, and revolutionaries could
“help” create a stateless society by promoting
action….and violence.
LABOR VIOLENCE- HAYMARKET RIOT
• Damaging to Unions- they become seen as radical
(when in reality what they were asking for was often
more than fair)
• 1886 Haymarket Riot Chicago: the iron workers at the
McCormick plant were trying to unionize, and in Feb
company brought in strikebreakers. May 3- strikers
attempt to prevents new workers from entering the
factory- police kill 4 strikers. The next day- a rally was held
in Haymarket Square to protest the killings…. Police are
called in…. And a bomb goes off- killing 8 police,
wounding 60 (7 workers killed, 40 wounded as well)
• Anarchists blamed- 7 sentenced to death after witch
hunt trial (1st “Red Scare”)- to this day no one knows who
had bomb.
HOMESTEAD STRIKE
• 1892 Homestead PA Carnegie Steel Plant.
• Frick/Carnegie announce they are cutting worker’s pay
by 20%- and workers go on strike.
• Workers surround factory- refuse to let strikebreakers
enter- Frick calls in 300 Pinkertons to force workers away7 killed, 150 wounded.
• PA Gov calls in state militia of 8000 troops to support
Pinkertons (they just observe)
• Strikers arrested on charges of disturbing the peace and
restricting trade- 167 go to jail.
• Shows power of owners, and gov’t support of business
PULLMAN STRIKE
• 1894
• Pullman cars were sleeper cars. Built in a Company
Town outside Chicago. 1892 owners cut wages 25%
in response to homestead strike- but kept company
rents etc.. So the workers strike- and encourage ALL
RR workers in US to support them.
• RR workers refuse to work on any train with a
pullman car- so pullman owners attach cars to ALL
trains- including mail trains…which brings in the
Federal government. Pres. Cleveland gets courts
involved- and breaks strike.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF LABOR
• Created in 1890s- with very limited and specific goals (to
make it less scary) said should stay away from Utopian
ideals
• AFL not a “catch-all” separated specific trades, with AFL
as “umbrella”, and only admitted skilled labor
• Spoke of “Fair Share” Better wages/hours, improved
working conditions
• Organized “closed shops” all workers in industry had to
be in the union, which gave them greater bargaining
power
• Used Walkout and Boycott, but ususally not strike (less
scary)
• Samuel Gompers: President from founding until his death
in 1924