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Period: to
Rights of Workers Between 1800 - 1900
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Lowell Mills Worker Fight for more Rights
The women who worked for the Lowell company began to feel disenfranchised with the working conditions they were currently experiencing. Because of this they went on strike and were able to achieve the rights they wished to receive. This is one of the first examples of workers fighting for their rights and being able to achieve them, and many workers in the future would follow this path. -
Seneca Falls Convention
Although the Seneca Falls Convention mostly had to deal with women’s voting rights, the issue of women’s rights in the workplace were also discussed to a degree. This was the beginning of women starting to seek an equality to men in the work force. Over time this idea grew until the present, in which women are almost completely equal to men in the workplace. -
The American League of Colored Workers
The American League of Colored Workers was a the first union created for free African-Americans. It sought to support African-American businesses and included many skilled craftsmen. A major proponent of the league was Frederick Douglas who helped with the league and organized many parts of it. -
National Labor Union
This union was formed with both unskilled and skilled workers and brought focus to many reform issues of the day, although they were unsuccessful in passing any of the laws they hoped they would. The union later fell apart in 1873 but was able to bring attention to improve workers rights. -
Rise of Corporation
The consolidation of companies which turned them into large corporations lead to a few individuals holding most of the nation’s wealth while the majority of the nation remained poor. These poor who worked for the large corporations were exploited and of course lead to the feeling of disenfranchisement. This then lead to strikes throughout the US to improve workers rights. -
The Molly Maguires
This group, formed in Pennsylvania, was created by men who worked in coal mines and felt disenfranchised. They used violent methods to hopefully achieve the rights they wished to receive. The group fell apart in 1873 but later led to the formation of the United Mine Workers. -
The United Farm Workers
What formed out of the Molly Maguires, became known as the United Farm Workers. The men who worked for the mines worked in horrific conditions and many of them died. The union was able to achieve many of the rights that the miners wished to receive and became one of the most important strong unions in America for that time. -
Pullman Car Strike
Because of an economic depression, the Pullman company cut their workforce drastically. The workers then began a strike and were supported by the railroad union. Although the strike was repressed, they were able to bring attention to rights that needed to be achieved for worker during that time.
