Spencer Lee D

2/8/07
Essay

Growth and labor greatly increased during the Industrial and Progressive Era from 1870-1910.
Much of the era cam about after the Civil War Reconstruction. Different ideas had supported both the North
and the South. However, both of the ideas changed when the economy boom caused a need for workers and
more often, labor.
Labor became one of the most important problems that were thrusted upon the Union in the
industrialization era. The first beginnings of labor need occurred when many large corporations and
businesses needed more production. Big booms were mainly caused by the advancement of technology and
the many new westward expansions. Technology, allowed more production to be made in factories and
industries. When the new businesses, such as, Steel Company, Railroads, and mining were introduced they
all needed supporting workers to earn money. Railroads helped much expansion and trade over the United
States. Standard Gauge, 4.5 inches, 8 feet wide, was developed so that the West and East were more
connected than ever. The standard gauge helped other railroad companies also link each other. Though in
order to expand quickly, many railroad owners needed more and more workers. And of course, the owners
hired immigrants and workers for low pay. As much as the workers worked, the workers had very small pay
and long hours in dangerous conditions. Just when the workers had bad conditions, the workers were given
even a lower pay. As the businesses gave the workers dissatisfaction, many of the workers were up roared
and formed the first labor unions.
The Knights of Labor, was a labor union brought up in 1869, to help the many workers protest
against the bad feeling workers had toward the owners. However, as many other unions formed, (American
Federation of Labor), the labor unions often held protests and strikes to prove their point. Many which
ended in bloodshed and killings, such as the Haymarket Riot ended in seven police officers killed and the
Pullman Strike, with over 14, 00 federal troops killing 30 people. The Pullman Company put a large strain
on the relationship between the workers and the bosses. Thus, causing the Erdman Act which excluded the
1888 act, allowing part mediation and part arbitration. Other labor unions also participated in many other
activities or the labor cause.
American Federation of Labor formed in 1881, participated in many political events that helped
change the opinions of many industry owners as a “threat.” However, with new “worker” policies, women
also found that many women had worse rights compared to average men. Alice Paul, Carry Nation,
Elizabeth C. Stanton, and Susan B. Anthony were among on of the many women suffragists to fight for
women’s rights. Among those women, some formed many suffragist associations such as the National
Women Suffragist Association. National Women’s Suffragist Association was different than many other
labor associations. With even more labor associations and strikes, it may have seemed a major problem
during the time. In 1888, the first federal act was released to help the business owners with the problems.
But, even with a law, it did not solve many of the problems that occurred.
Carnegie one of the many powerful business owners, faced a strike that would change his business.
The Emulated Workers of Steel, Tin, and Iron faced with federal officials to protect their own rights. But, it
became more difficult since, there was no law or act that protected the rights of labor for the people.
Protection is mainly what most of the workers wanted for their work, especially the pay the works would
receive “for” their work. The conditions upon many of the debates were based on this problem. In order to
force the worker’s own rights, they formed labor unions. Upon the debates and arguments between the
Supreme Court and the people, development upon new laws were created. Which in turn, led to the approval
of four new amendments.
The sixteenth amendment, caused by the Progressive ideas of reform by choosing lower tariffs and
changing the idea to different income taxes which was more reasonable. The eighteenth amendment which
was approved on behalf of the women suffragists. The suffragists fought hard which allowed them to have
this freedom the suffragists received. The suffragists fought not for themselves but the others that would be
the women of the next generation, allowing them to have the freedom they did not have. The sixteenth and
eighteenth amendment show a basic example of how many of the reform ideas were in play as to how the
battles fought would end in this favor.
The point of the meaning is the actions done by workers and suffragists or even the progressives
wanted reform to be done for the good of the people and those with children. Basic ideas for basic rights
succeeded in making new laws and rights that are still being used in everyday life.