History of Labor in the United States

  • 13th Amendment

    13th Amendment

    The 13th Amendment was ratified in 1865. It abolished slavery and involuntary servitude.
  • National Labor Union

    National Labor Union

    It was founded by William H. Sylvis in 1866. It pushed for a 8 hour workday, higher wagers, better conditions, land reform, and banning prison labor.
  • Knights of Labor

    Knights of Labor

    It was formed by Uriah Stephens, then led by Terence V. Powderly. It aimed for worker solidarity, 8-hour-day, and replaced capitalism with worker cooperatives.
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    Second Industrial Revolution

    It introduced machines such as the power loom or factory systems. It marked a shift from hand production.
  • The First Labor Day

    The First Labor Day

    The Central Labor Union organized the event to unite all types of workers and recognize their common interests. It was a parade of 10,000 to 20,000 workers marching from City Hall to Union Square.
  • Great Southwest Railroad Strike

    Great Southwest Railroad Strike

    A labor conflict involving 200,000 workers in five states against Jay Gould's Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific lines. It was organized by the Knights of Labor.
  • Haymarket Riot

    Haymarket Riot

    It was first a peaceful demonstration advocating for workers' rights, but escalated into violence. It resulted in multiple casualties.
  • American Federation of Labor

    American Federation of Labor

    A federation of skilled craft unions which was led by Samuel Grompers to focus on wages, hours, and safety for skilled workers.
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    Homestead Strike

    A violent labor dispute at the Carnegie Steel Company. The defeat of the union set back unionization in the steel industry for decades.
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    Pullman Strike

    Federal troops clashed with railroad workers. It was caused by Glover Cleveland who tried to end the labor dispute by sending the federal troops.
  • Shirtwaist Factory Fire

    Shirtwaist Factory Fire

    A fire flared up in a scrap bin in the Triangle Waist Company factory. It caused the deaths of many workers.
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    Textile Workers Strike of 1934

    Workers protested for low pay and long hours. The strike ended in a defeat for the workers.
  • Wagner Act

    Wagner Act

    It is also known as the National Labor Relations Act. It established the National Labor Relations Board and addressed relations between unions and employees in the private sector.
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    1930s General Motors Sit Down Strike

    It first started as a sit down where workers stayed in the factory. It escalated into violence when the company and city police began shooting.
  • Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

    Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938

    It is a federal law that sets standards for minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and child labor. It was signed by President Roosevelt.
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    Post War Era

    The time after the World War II. the economy began to recover and grow and introduced a social transformation.
  • Taft Hartley Act

    Taft Hartley Act

    It amended the National Labor Relations Act. It restricted power and activities of labor unions.
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    Steel Strike of 1959

    It was 116 day work stoppage by the United Steelworkers of America. It was a contract dispute centered on Section 2-B of their contract.