-
National Labor Union
Started post civil war, and was the first federation of the separate specific trade unions in the United States. Focused on putting pressure on Congress to reform work days to 8 hours. -
Knights of Labor
First prominent labor union and was started by Terrence Powderly. They accepted anyone considered a "producer" and were decently successful in labor reformation. -
Haymarket Square Bombing
This ended the Knights of Labor. At a peaceful protests, anarchists started a bombing which turned into riots that got blamed on the Knights of Labor -
Greenback Labor Party
A political movement that called on the government to regulate big corporations and enforce an 8 hour work day. Tried to spread the idea of producerism, where the thought that the real wealth of the nation is created by the laborers who work for it, so they should earn more money. -
The Grange / Farmer's Alliance
Made up of farmers who wanted regulatory laws against the monopolization of agricultural transportation on the railroads, as big barons were taking advantage of the farmer's need for fast shipment. Also advocated cooperative stores for farmers so they wouldn't get taken advantage of by owners and debts. -
Great Railroad Strike of 1877
An interstate strike caused by the panic of 1873, as many railroad companies were forced to cut wages. This turned extremely violet and federal troops were called in, and the public began to lose sympathy with the strikers because of the havoc they caused so it was unsuccessful -
American Federation of Labor
Founded by Samuel Gompers, and made up of the groups unaffected by the dissolution of the Knights of Labor. They only accepted skilled laborers. -
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
Created to stop the monopolization of big corporations of a single business, as this stopped the competitive market of the US economy. This helped laborers because big monopolies often took advantage of them, though this was not really enforced until Teddy Roosevelt. -
Homestead Strike
Andrew Carnegie's steel workers went on strike over paycuts. It turned violent, and the Pinkerton detective agency was brought in as well as the national guard. Hurt Carnegie's reputation severely. -
Populist Party
Formed from the Grange and Farmer's Alliance, became a national movement that appealed to ALL workers. Started by William Jennings Bryan with the Omaha Platform. The Omaha Platform called for federal loans for farmers, an income tax on the wealthy, nationalization of the ownership of railroads and electric lines, direct election of senators, and an 8 hour work day. -
American Railway Union
This was the organization behind the Pullman Palace Car Strike, and was lead by Socialist Eugene Debs. The goal of this organization was to unite all of the industrial railroad laborers into a single, strong voice so their ideas would be taken more seriously. -
Pullman Palace Car Strike
The Pullman Palace Car Company cut the wages of thousands of workers, so they refused to switch the cars onto the correct railway tracks. Because many cars carried mail, the US Army was called in to take care of the strikers, which was the first time forceful action had been taken against labor unions. -
Anthracite Coal Mine Strike
Coal miners in Pennsylvania went on strike during the winter, affecting many citizens as they needed the coal to keep them warm. Because of this, Teddy Roosevelt called the strikers and the head of the company in to make a compromise to keep coal flowing and with shorter hours and higher wages for the workers. This was the first time a federal power had taken action for the side of labor. -
National Child Labor Comittee
Pushed for better working conditions for children. Often linked with the push for women's suffrage, as women were the one closest with children. Members included strong advocated like Florence Kelley. -
Industrial Workers of the World
Started by William Haywood, and was open to everyone, especially the unskilled workers of the time. They were extremely socialist, and a radical group (therefore known as the "Wobblies") and wanted to overthrow the government and engage in class warfare. -
Mueller VS Oregon
A court case in which Mueller was convicted in violating the law that kept women's work days to 10 hours. This was one of the first times that the court sided with laborers -
Clayton Anti-Trust Act
A stronger version of the Sherman Anti-Trust Act, but it allowed the practice of labor unions as it stated that they could not be prosecuted and they were legal. -
National War Labor Board
Created during World War I to equalize and unionize workers through out the nation, stating a mandatory 8 hour work day and equal pay for women to maximize production. Reinstated by FDR in World War II -
Coronado Coal Company VS United Mine Workers
This was an important court case for the United Mine Workers because a the court ruled that a striking union could be penalized for an illegal restraint of trade. -
McNary-Haugen Bills
Congress tried to help farmers by creating a system of prices for major crops. However, this was vetoed by President Coolidge. -
United Mine Workers
Formed after the creation of the NRA, and its sole purpose was to unite the miners of the nation. -
Civilian Conservation Corps
Created by FDR as part of the New Deal. This gave millions of jobs to young men through out the country, cleaning up and creating national parks as well as providing relief to those struck by the Dust Bowl. -
Agricultural Adjustment Act
Created by FDR as part of the New Deal. Farmers had struggled with overproduction, so the government decided they would provide subsidies to the farmers who cut their production. This was proved to be unconstitutional. -
National Industrial Recovery Act
Created by FDR as part of the New Deal. Members voluntarily joined, and their prices were to be regulated and kept the same. This was declared unconstitutional with the Sick Chicken case because it eliminated competition. -
American Communist Party
Started after a split in the socialist party in 1919. Started the Hunger Marches, which affected Ford Motor Companies as the unionization of labor was prohibited. Turned violent, but demonstrated the progression of labor unions in the automobile industry. -
Wagner Act
Created the National Labor Relations Act under FDR as part of the New Deal. Protected the rights of workers and encouraged collective bargaining. -
Fair Employment Practices Comission
Created by FDR. Also known as Executive Order 8802, and it banned discrimination in the employment of workers. -
Bracero Program
During World War II, FDR started this to bring workers in from Mexico to help boost production and fill factory jobs while the men were off fighting. Lead to the Zoot Suit Riots -
Taft-Hartley Act
Passed by the Republican Party and it outlawed the "closed shop" (where only labor members could shop), required labor leaders to take a noncommunist oath, allows states to pass the "right-to-work" laws and was a result of the second red scare. -
Smith - Conally Labor Act
Started during World War II. Gave the government power to seize a factory and take over production if their resistance interfered with the war effort. -
Congress of Industrial Organizations
Federation of unions in the United States and Canada, and they opposed NAFTA because it leads to jobs outsourcing to cheaper places, especially Mexico.