APUSH: Period 6, 1865-1898 - The Labor Movement, Knights of Labor, AFL, Haymarket Riot, Pullman Strike

Why This Matters

The Labor Movement is a pivotal aspect of American history, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It represents a significant struggle for workers' rights, social justice, and economic equality. This movement is connected to the AP theme of Politics and Power, as it highlights the tension between the growing industrial economy and the power dynamics between labor, capital, and the government. The Labor Movement's impact can be seen in the eventual passage of landmark legislation, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, and the establishment of labor unions as a powerful force in American politics.

Key Events & People

• Knights of Labor (1869): A labor organization that advocated for an eight-hour workday, equal pay for equal work, and the abolition of child labor. They also promoted the idea of a "labor republic."
• Terence Powderly (1869-1893): The leader of the Knights of Labor, who pushed for reforms and organized strikes.
• AFL (American Federation of Labor) (1886): A labor union founded by Samuel Gompers, which focused on economic gains for workers rather than social reform.
• Samuel Gompers (1886-1924): The founder of the AFL, who emphasized the importance of collective bargaining and economic benefits for workers.
• Haymarket Riot (1886): A violent confrontation between police and labor protesters in Chicago, which led to the execution of four anarchist leaders and the eventual decline of the Knights of Labor.
• Pullman Strike (1894): A nationwide railroad strike led by Eugene Debs, which was violently suppressed by the government and marked a turning point in the labor movement.
• Eugene Debs (1894-1921): A labor leader who organized the Pullman Strike and later became a socialist presidential candidate.
• Homestead Strike (1892): A steelworkers' strike in Pennsylvania, which was violently suppressed by the company and led to the deaths of several workers.
• Ida Tarbell (1902): A journalist who exposed the Standard Oil Company's monopolistic practices and advocated for labor rights.
• The Lawrence Textile Strike (1912): A strike by immigrant women workers in Massachusetts, which highlighted the struggles of working-class women.

Cause & Effect Chain

• Cause: The rapid industrialization and urbanization of the late 19th century led to the growth of labor movements.
• Effect: The formation of labor unions, such as the AFL, and the rise of prominent labor leaders like Samuel Gompers.

• Long-term consequence: The eventual passage of labor legislation, such as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.

• Cause: The Haymarket Riot and the subsequent decline of the Knights of Labor led to a shift in labor strategy.

• Effect: The AFL's focus on economic gains and the rise of more militant labor leaders like Eugene Debs.

• Long-term consequence: The increased militancy of labor movements and the eventual suppression of strikes like the Pullman Strike.

• Cause: The growing power of labor unions and the rise of socialist and anarchist ideologies.

• Effect: The government's increasing repression of labor movements, including the use of violence and court cases like In re Debs (1895).
• Long-term consequence: The eventual decline of radical labor movements and the rise of more moderate, pragmatic labor leaders.

Essential Vocabulary

• *Collective Bargaining*: The process of negotiating wages, benefits, and working conditions between employers and employees through a labor union.
• *Industrialization*: The process of transforming an economy from agrarian to industrial, characterized by the growth of factories and mass production.
• *Socialism*: An economic and political ideology that advocates for the collective ownership of the means of production and the distribution of goods and services based on need rather than profit.
• *Anarchism*: A political ideology that advocates for the abolition of all forms of government and authority, often associated with radical labor movements.
• *Monopoly*: A market structure in which a single company or entity controls a significant portion of the market, often leading to anti-competitive practices.
• *Strike*: A labor action in which workers refuse to work in order to pressure employers for better wages, benefits, or working conditions.
• *Union*: An organization of workers that negotiates with employers on behalf of its members to improve wages, benefits, and working conditions.
• *Radical*: A term used to describe individuals or groups that advocate for significant, often revolutionary changes to society.
• *Pragmatic*: A term used to describe individuals or groups that prioritize practical, achievable goals over idealistic or radical ones.
• *Militant*: A term used to describe individuals or groups that advocate for radical, often violent action to achieve their goals.

Common Student Mistakes

• What students often get wrong: The Knights of Labor was a radical, anarchist organization that advocated for the abolition of all forms of government.
• Correction: The Knights of Labor was a labor organization that advocated for social reform and economic equality, but was not anarchist or radical in its ideology.

• Memory trick: Think of the Knights of Labor as a "labor republic" that advocated for workers' rights and social justice.

• What students often get wrong: The AFL was founded by Eugene Debs.

• Correction: The AFL was founded by Samuel Gompers, who emphasized the importance of collective bargaining and economic benefits for workers.

• Memory trick: Think of Samuel Gompers as the "father of the AFL" and Eugene Debs as a more radical labor leader.

• What students often get wrong: The Haymarket Riot was a peaceful protest that was violently suppressed by the government.

• Correction: The Haymarket Riot was a violent confrontation between police and labor protesters in Chicago, which led to the execution of four anarchist leaders.
• Memory trick: Think of the Haymarket Riot as a turning point in the labor movement that highlighted the government's repression of labor activism.

DBQ / LEQ Connections

• DBQ: Analyze the role of labor unions in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. How did labor unions like the AFL and the Knights of Labor shape the labor movement? What were the key challenges and successes of these unions?
  • Evidence: The AFL's emphasis on collective bargaining, the Knights of Labor's advocacy for social reform, the Haymarket Riot, the Pullman Strike.
• LEQ: Evaluate the impact of industrialization on the labor movement. How did the growth of factories and mass production affect workers' lives and labor activism? What were the key responses of labor leaders and unions to these changes?
  • Evidence: The growth of urban centers, the rise of labor unions, the decline of the Knights of Labor, the AFL's focus on economic gains.
• DBQ: Analyze the role of government repression in the labor movement. How did the government respond to labor activism, particularly during the late 19th and early 20th centuries? What were the key consequences of this repression for labor leaders and unions?
  • Evidence: The Haymarket Riot, the Pullman Strike, the In re Debs court case, the decline of radical labor movements.

Quick Self?Check

1. What was the primary goal of the Knights of Labor? a) To abolish all forms of government b) To advocate for social reform and economic equality c) To promote the interests of employers Answer: b) To advocate for social reform and economic equality Explanation: The Knights of Labor was a labor organization that advocated for social reform and economic equality, but was not anarchist or radical in its ideology.

2. Who founded the AFL? a) Eugene Debs b) Samuel Gompers c) Terence Powderly Answer: b) Samuel Gompers Explanation: Samuel Gompers founded the AFL, which emphasized the importance of collective bargaining and economic benefits for workers.

3. What was the outcome of the Haymarket Riot? a) A peaceful protest that led to significant labor reforms b) A violent confrontation between police and labor protesters that led to the execution of four anarchist leaders c) A strike that resulted in the establishment of a new labor union Answer: b) A violent confrontation between police and labor protesters that led to the execution of four anarchist leaders Explanation: The Haymarket Riot was a violent confrontation between police and labor protesters in Chicago, which led to the execution of four anarchist leaders.

Last?Minute Cram Sheet

• The "Gilded Age" was named by Mark Twain – it means glittering on the outside, corrupt inside.
• The AFL was founded in 1886 by Samuel Gompers.
• The Haymarket Riot occurred in 1886 in Chicago.
• The Pullman Strike was led by Eugene Debs in 1894.
• The Lawrence Textile Strike occurred in 1912 in Massachusetts.
• The Fair Labor Standards Act was passed in 1938.
• The In re Debs court case occurred in 1895.
• The Knights of Labor was a labor organization that advocated for social reform and economic equality.
• The AFL emphasized the importance of collective bargaining and economic benefits for workers.
• The Haymarket Riot was a turning point in the labor movement that highlighted the government's repression of labor activism.