How successful was organized labor in improving the position
Drafting hundreds of thousands of recruits, holding hundreds of strikes, and uniting endless opportunities, labor unions were a striking force during the late 1870's and early 1900's. Labor unions were the workers' saviors in providing less cruel and demanding physical labor.The most troubling issues at the time were the elongated 12 hour work shifts and child exploitation. A document advertising a massive town meeting (document 7) reflects how alarming the problem was. Factories covering many towns and cities required 12 hour shifts sometimes with no lunch breaks. Workers would sometimes have to also deal with the clinical fatigue and illness associated with the long workdays. Even more disturbing to workers was the incre
Most of the success can be attributed to the political influence and social standings of strong unions. The Pullman Strike, shown in document six is the most famous strike riot during its time. The strike although dismantled by President Cleveland, was a huge triumph for Chicago factory workers. A political cartoon for example, in document 3, shows how unions were beginning to gain an influence over big businesses, improving the relations between business owner and operator. Lead by Eugene Debs (document 1), a socialist leader, more than 125,000 worker joined hands in essentially called for a boycott on Pullman's palace cars on nation railways. Seen in document 2, the Haymarket Riot helped to actually reform other union organizations by showing the tragedy of violence. Unions had a lasting effect on the American Worker. Eight hour workdays and child labor laws would soon follow the American outcry and prove the efficiency of unions to advocate change. Another example attributing to the success of unions was the Haymarket Riot of 1886. Also a list of employer benefits from the resurrection of unions could show how essential unions were in providing much needed changes. Documents showing the numbers of private contracts with businesses verses contracts between labor unions and businesses could show this. Depicted in documents two and four, many kids would have to work in order to sustain their family's income. Many unions such as the American Railroad Union resorted to strikes notably as their paramount weapon for change. To help solve these universal problems many unions were formed in order to inspire change.
Common topics in this essay:
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American Worker,
Haymarket Riot,
Eugene Debs,
President Cleveland,
Labor Unions,
Martin Luther,
Railroad Union,
Pullman Strike,
Knights Labor,
labor unions,
haymarket riot,
12 shifts,
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Acceptance Essays
