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**Theme:** LABOR **Topic: Did Labor Movements attack capitalism?** **Free Response Question**: Despite often brutal clashes between labor and capital in the United States during the period 1865-1940, collective working-class protest did not constitute a basic attack on the capitalistic system. Assess the validity of this statement.

Introductory Paragraph **Setting:** After the Civil War, **Basis for Analysis**: The statement is not valid, as labor unions secured a shorter work day, better working conditions, and forced the government to recognize the rights of the working-class **Partitions**: The working-class impacted the government and society with the birth of labor unions in the Gilded Age, the culmination of labor in the Progressive Era, and the revival of labor rights during the Great Depression.

**Thesis:** Through protests, strikes, and boycotts, the working-class movement has pushed forth many bills and decisions that have positively impacted the lifestyle of the common working American today.

**Partition 1:** Gilded Age Great Railroad Strike of 1877- RR workers, upset with wage cuts, launched a 45 day attack on railroad networks (federal troops were sent in) American Federation of Labor (AFL)- an association of autonomous craft unions and represented mainly skilled workers (rejected women) Samuel Gompers- founded the AFL, believed in securing a greater share of capitalism's rewards for the workers Homestead Strike of 1890- Amalgamated went on strike at the Homestead plant after wages were continually cut without negotiating. Pullman Strike of 1894- Workers of the Pullman Car Company went on strike after wages were cut and rents were not (cut) 1885- abolition of the Contract Labor Law 1868- 8-hour workday on public works projects 1892- 8-hour work day for government employees

**Partition 2:** Progressive Era //Muller v. Oregon//- 10 hour work day for women (1908) Muckrackers- dug up the dirt on corrupt deals between business and political leaders. Urban Liberalism- working class citizens are human first and foremost (deserved better working conditions) Triangle Shirtwaist Company fire- hazardous fire consumed the dorms, and trapped/killed over a hundred workers (mainly female) New York state legislature- 56 laws dealing with all the hazards and compensations of unsafe workplaces. Sherman Antitrust Act (1890)

** Partition 3: ** The Great Depression FDR vocally supported labor unions, which drew them to the Democratic Party

Norris-La Guardia Act (1932) - removed certain legal and judicial barriers against the activities of organized labor National Industrial Recovery Act (1933)- gave workers the right to unionize

General Information: Gilded Age-Between the Wars periods <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">Unions of the 19th century wanted higher wages, better working conditions, and an 8-hour work day <span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Georgia,serif; font-size: 15px; text-align: left;">Weaknesses of unions include how they represent a minority (only skilled workers), the shifting nature of workers, and the obvious advantage of large corporations