A NEW

INDUSTRIAL AGE

PAYTON SULLIVAN- PERIOD 2

 America Becomes an Industrial Nation

1866-The first large national organization of laborers is formed, known as the National Labor Union. The
NLU went on to persuade Congress to legalize eight hour work days for those who work for the government.

1867- Grange, an organization of mostly poor farmers, is formed and later goes on to convince legislators
to pass laws that regulate the railroad. The laws become known as the Granger Laws.

1869-Professor Dowd proposes there be 24 time zones worldwide, with four being in the United States. He
wanted to prevent railroad passengers from resetting watches numerous times. This influenced how time is
now told worldwide.

1877- Munn vs Illinois case proves that the federal government has the right to regulate private companies.
This was shown after supreme court votes to uphold railroad regulatory laws following railroad rebellion to
the Granger Laws.

1886- Samuel Gompers organizes the American Federation of Labor, a labor organization consisting of only
skilled workers. They had successful strikes that reduced a standard work week by five hours and raised
weekly wages by about $7.

1887- Congress passes Interstate Commerce Act. This stated that the national government was able to
supervise railroad activities.
1890- The Sherman Antitrust Act is created and makes the formation of trusts that conflict with free trade
between states and countries illegal. However, the ambiguity of the Act made it hard to enforce and
businesses continued to consolidate.

1893- The nation collapses economically. The Panic of 1893 was the worst depression up to this time and it
caused hundreds of banks and thousands of businesses to fail, along with millions losing their jobs.

1894- Pullman Strike occurs. Result of George M Pullman lowering his employees’ wages and refusing to
lower the cost of rent for them.

1905- A group of socialists and radical unionists come together to organize the Industrial Workers of the
World. They only had one major strike, which was in 1912, but the IWW gave dignity to unskilled workers.

1911- Fire engulfes the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in NYC. This caused outrage at the working conditions in
garment factories after 146 women died in a fire that could have been less tragic in better working
conditions. This caused factory working conditions to be monitored closer in the future.