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Industrial Revolution
Fast increases in technology result in more production and higher demand. Several factories are built, creating more jobs. Demand for slavery also increases since owners and managers desire cheap, unskilled labor. -
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Civil War
Due to Abharam Lincoln winning the election, when he took office, he was put in a bad situation. America was divided into the United States and the Confederate states. In the end, slavery was abolished, which would later pave the way for unions to form. -
Haymarket Square Riot
It was supposed to be a peaceful protest, as the workers just wanted better working conditions and rights. However, an un identified person threw a smoke bomb and chaos broke out. Police started firing randomly into the crowd and at least eight people were killed. -
Great Southwest Railroad Strike
In 1886, a group called the Knights of Labor went on strike at the Union Pacific and Missouri Pacific Railroads. Hundreds of thousands of workers refused to work due to unsafe conditions, long hours and low pay. Due to lack of commitment from other unions, the strike failed. The Knights of Labor disbanded afterwards as a result. -
Homestead Strike
Pinkertons (private detectives) were hired to find rebelling workers and cause chaos in a town. The workers found out, camped by the riverside and shot the detectives. After several hours of combat, the pinkertons surrendered. -
Steel Strike of 1919
After WWI, the United States Steel Coporation workers organized a strike against poor working conditions, long hours, low wages and corporate harassment. The amount of strikers was over 350,000. However, companies used concerns of communism and immigration to make them look bad. The strike not only failed, but caused steel unions to take a leave of absence for 15 years. -
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Great Depression
Unemployment falls down to 25%. It may not seem like a lot, but it actually is. The country is bankrupt and several people are poor. The economy has fallen apart and several unions form during this time. -
Norris-Laguardia Act
This law made it so that workers can't be prohibited from joining unions. Also banned 'yellow dog' contracts. Restricted the power of the court to issue injections in peaceful strikes. -
Wagner Act
Gave workers the right to form unions and strike. -
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World War 2
WWII starts. The economy is picking itself up from the ground. Unions stand strong and the U.S finally enters the scene. -
Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA)
An act that, if made law, would allow unions to easily enlist workers by simplifying the enrollment process. It has yet to become law as far as I know, but they're still trying.
