# data[].attributes.headline
Impact on Unionization (American Federation of Labor)

# data[].attributes.subject
Impact on Unionization (American Federation of Labor)

# data[].attributes.body
The American Federation of Labor was successful in helping people in craft trades because it was made of craft unions. That, unfortunately, lead to the exclusion of factory workers. As a result, only fifteen percent of non-farm workers received protection, and America became more industrial, which would lead to the unionization of factory workers later on.

# data[].attributes.body
The American Federation of Labor was a group of twenty individual craft unions that together made up a national federation of autonomous craft unions. The group was lead by Samuel Gompers in 1886. The AFL focused most of its efforts toward getting more economic success for its workers. It also had a strict policy of not interfering in the businesses of other unions. The AFL also abstained from commenting on political matters that didn't concern the conditions of workers. It experienced large growth, and in 1920, it had four million members.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
American Federation of Labor (American Labor Movement)

# data[].attributes.headline
Impact on Unionization (Knights of Labor)

# data[].attributes.subject
Impact on Unionization (Knights of Labor)

# data[].attributes.body
The Knights of Labor proved that unions at the industry level could be successful and showed the working class that large unions can be an option to help protect their rights.

# data[].attributes.body
The Knights of Labor was a small union that began to gain support after the Panic of 1873. They became a large union at the national level in 1878. They advocated for equal pay regardless of sex, an eight-hour work day, and an end to convict labor. The union was also revolutionary in the fact that it accepted all wage workers (except doctors, lawyers, and bankers). It also accepted women and people of color. The union had around 700,000 people, and it was able to get its way solely with numbers.

# data[].attributes.headline
Impact on Unionization (Scientific Management)

# data[].attributes.subject
Impact on Unionization (Scientific Management)

# data[].attributes.body
Scientific management made work more dehumanizing for employees, which made them want to unionize for better working conditions. Also, since women and children entered the workforce with scientific management, they would unionize for equal pay and protections for children.

# data[].attributes.body
Scientific management was a way of running a factory invented by Frederick Taylor in the 1870s. The method used stop-watches to divide up tasks in manufacturing into short, repetitive segments. Taylor also encouraged factory heads to prioritize efficiency and profit over interaction between employees. This method of factory also made it so women and children could be hired to work in factories.

# data[].attributes.body
The economic crash following the Panic of 1873 got rid of many pre-existing unions. Although, the Panic of 1873 allowed for a major union to emerge: the Knights of Labor.

# data[].attributes.body
People in the working class would work long hours for low wages. Their working conditions were poor, and the activities they did were dangerous and dehumanizing. This would lead to workers trying to take actions to give them more rights. Those actions would include unionization.

# data[].attributes.headline
Impact on Unionization (New Consumer Culture)

# data[].attributes.subject
Impact on Unionization (New Consumer Culture)

# data[].attributes.body
The new consumer culture was built upon spending with credit. This tempted many lower wage workers because with credit, being a member of the middle class was within their reach. But, this would put those workers into debt, so things like illness, wage changes, and financial emergencies would be disastrous for their families fiances. This would encourage workers to advocate for consistent wages and sick pay with unions.

# data[].attributes.body
The new consumer culture in America was the increase in product options for consumers in the working class. Other alternatives to local general stores began to arise in the 1870s, like chain stores. The increase in options for consumers lead businesses to competition for customers in the form of lowered prices, new and improved models, and increased advertising. The new consumer culture also lead to an increase of spending with credit.

# data[].attributes.body
In 1865, 60% of Americans still lived in rural areas, but in the 1900s, that number decreased to 40%. This meant more people had converted from farm life to working class life. The working class mainly worked in factories for many hours a day for very low wages. Also, their work was very dehumanizing. Factory workers did simple tasks for long hours without much interactions from co-workers and supervisors. The working class knew the differences in quality of life between them and the wealthy, but they lacked the assets and legal protections to organize unions. Instead, workers used strikes and violence.

# data[].attributes.body
The Panic of 1873 was the result of many bank failures over a short period of time. There were many factors that lead up to it. The most important factor was the railroad boom coming to an end in 1870. Many companies had overinvested in this industry, leaving many with a lot of railroad bonds. But, when European economic events altered the value of silver in the US, the US monetary supply shrank. This left less and less money left for railroad investments, and many companies were left with their money in practically worthless railroad bonds. Then, the panic really began once a prominent bank, Jay and Cooke Company, filed for bankruptcy on the eve of the day they announced that they would finance the transcontinental railroad. Several banks would close soon thereafter. Within two years, over twenty thousand business shut down. This recession lead to desperate workers in search of job.