Workers Unite! The Formation of Labor Unions
In Workers Unite! The Formation of Labor Unions, in the late 19th Century, workers are concerned with a lack of protections. After unsuccessful strikes, like the Great Railroad Strike, workers band together to form unions that can start to work collectively to advocate for workers’ rights, including higher pay and better working conditions.
Lesson Express
Q: What events led to the formation of the American Labor Movement?
A: Concerns about the standard of living, dangerous working conditions, and an economic recession led to the formation of the American Labor Movement.
Q: What happened during the Great Railroad Strike?
A: People walked off the job, destroyed property, and had to be subdued by militias.
Q: What did the Great Railroad Strike accomplish? Was this its original goal?
A: The strike did not accomplish its original goal, but did lead to the founding of the first labor union, the Knights of Labor.