The document discusses several key changes in the late 19th century that led to the rise of organized labor movements in the United States, including the replacement of skilled jobs by machines, declining wages and working conditions, and the prevalence of child labor. It notes over 2 million children under age 15 worked long hours in unsafe conditions. This poor treatment of workers led unions to form to advocate for better pay, hours, and workplace safety. However, organized labor faced opposition from business owners and difficulties coordinating strikes. The document also summarizes women joining the workforce and progressive era reforms targeting political corruption and unsanitary conditions exposed by muckrakers like Upton Sinclair.

1. Organized Labor à Changes
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Changes in workplace
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Machines
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replaced people for skilled jobs
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No longer “mom & pop” shop (negotiated) wages
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“family setting” à gone
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Rise of “sweatshops” where you monitored a machine
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lowered wages (no more skills)
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Children
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Two million children under age 15 in the workforce
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no schooling
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worked LONG x6days p/wk
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HAZARDS!
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Unhealthy air, extreme temps., dangerous situations
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Led to deaths

2. Organized Labor – cont’d
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Rise of organized labor
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Hazards led to pushback
Unions!
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Originally only skilled workers
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Non-union worker slow downs
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Strikes
Knights of Labor 1869
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Opened unions to non-skilled and minorities
Terence Powderly – no strikes, just rallies
No children, shorter work day, equal wages by gender
Led to many strikes across the nation – not supported
Haymarket Square – explain!
AFL - ?

3. Women Workforce
— Played a large role in the workforce
— Mainly in textiles, tobacco, and garment industries
— Many unions also formed
— Also had strikes for better wages & hours
— Hard times for organized labor
— Triangle Shirtwaste Factory Fire – 1911
— Overproduction and growth lead to layoffs
— Rollercoaster of small recessions and depressions
— More strikes and violence in cities
— Railroads virtually shut down

4. Progressive Movements
— Reforming City Governments
— The rise of political bosses results from more need for city
services (sewer, road construction, garbage collection, etc)
— Payoffs and bribes for contracts and loans for the needy
(William “Boss” Tweed)
— “good government leagues – attacked corruption with some
success
— Muckrackers
— “dug up” stories on big business, corrupt politicians, factory
conditions, slum life, etc.
— Inadequate police and fire protection
— Upton Sinclair “The Jungle” – fiction?
— Led to call for change

5. Progressive Movements
— Progressives 1898-1917
— Forward thinking people – improve life in America
— Inspired by religion and science in improving society
— Education – urged to promote health and values
— Reformers
— “The will of the people shall be the law of the land” – William LaFollette
— “Battling Bob from Wisconsin
— Lower rail rates,
— starting primaries for voting (1903)
— Led to more power to the people via VOTING
— Amendments
— 16th, 17th, 18th , 19th
— You know these!

6. Immigration
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Why America?
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Job security in industry, farming
A better life from homeland persecution
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The “Promised Land” – FREEDOM!
Low fares on land/property, transportation
Journey
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Close quarters in transit – led to disease
Statue of Liberty/Ellis Island
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Name changes
Language barriers
Adaptation
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Learn English
Ethnic neighborhoods
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Find a job, home
Keeping family traditions
Opposition
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Call for restrictions
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Chinese Exclusion Act / American Protective Assoc.
Racism à violence (gangs)