Canvas by Mary Koscal

The Working Class

103944_12 — 2025-06-21 01:47:32 UTC

This group consisted mainly of factory workers, railroad workers, and miners from all backgrounds, including immigrants, children, and women. They were facing harsh and unforgiving working conditions, poor wages, and long hours; consequently, labor unions and movements began to develop across the country, a key part of the Progressive Era. These began to take off following the Gilded Age in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Unionizers advocated for workers' rights through strikes and attempts at the creation of legislation. (Source: Openstax texbook)

The Progressive Era Overview: Crash Course

103944_12 — 2025-06-21 01:49:17 UTC

The Panic of 1873

103944_12 — 2025-06-21 01:59:09 UTC

This occurred when banks made a series of investments in railroad bonds, leading the a thinning of financial resources nationwide, and an eventual banking crisis. It started as a result of a stock market crash in Europe, during which investors sold off their investments in American projects (namely, railroads). There was then a larger supply of bonds than there was a demand for, and as a result, many railroads filed for bankruptcy. Notably, Jay Cooke and Company, one of the biggest banks in New York City. The collapse of such a well-known bank sent people into a frenzy, prompting them to attempt to withdraw all of their money from banks. More than 100 banks nationwide failed, unable to handle such a crisis. This was intertwined with a series of issues, including mass unemployment, collapse of business, and labor unrest. It hit middle and lower class workers and famers the hardest.

(Source: https://home.treasury.gov/about/history/freedmans-bank-building/financial-panic-of-1873#:~:text=The%20Panic%20of%201873&text=One%20of%20the%20worst%20happened,in%20American%20projects%2C%20particularly%20railroads.).

The New Consumer Culture

103944_12 — 2025-06-21 02:06:48 UTC

Innovation and revolution in the 18th and 19th century paved the way for a thriving consumer culture in the late 19th century and Progressive Era. At one point in time, certain goods and services were only accessible to the elite and wealthy classes. However, the late Progressive Era ushered in a period of accessibility and mass production on a new scale. After the Panic of 1873, a short economic depression occurred, but for a short period of time. Shortly after, consumerism grew, and middle class citizens had new purchasing power and disposable income. Department stores, mail catalogs, and chain retailers were developed. These changes and this new culture were largely the result of increased urbanization, a rising middle class, marketing strategy, and mass production. Credit, advertising, and retail were all expanded during this time period.

(Source: https://www.usahistorytimeline.com/pages/the-gilded-age-and-the-rise-of-new-consumer-ideals.php?utm_source=chatgpt.com)

Scientific Management

103944_12 — 2025-06-21 02:51:26 UTC

Principles developed by Frederick Taylor, also known as "stop-watch management." He utilized stop-watch studies to divide manufacturing tasks into multiple short and repetitive sects. He was a mechanical engineer, and he encouraged all factory owners to seek efficiency and profits through his management strategies. The adoption of this management style increased production efficiency greatly. Also, the amount of women in the workforce tripled, marking an increase in their ability to sustain themselves. There were also consequences to this system of management; for example, child labor tripled during this period, and workplace conditions were still often unsafe.

(Source: Openstax textbook)

Knights of Labor

103944_12 — 2025-06-21 02:59:35 UTC

Labor organization that attracted a wide following after more failed labor uprisings and after the Panic of 1873. In 1878, the group held their first assembly, during which they called for the renewal of the eight hour workday, equal pay for all genders, greater cooperation between enterprises, and the elimination of labor completed by convicts. This organization leaned heavily on the idea of "One Big Union," welcoming all workers (with the exclusion of doctors, lawyers, and bankers), including women, Indigenous people, immigrants, highly skilled, and low skilled. Additionally, they were spread across cities nationwide. This set them apart from other more specified or exclusive labor unions, allowing them to reach a larger group. The union reached over 700,000 members by 1886, a concrete sign of their significant impact on labor reform in America. They typically rejected the idea of relying on strikes as a main means of protest, but conducted assemblies and cooperatives.

(Source: Openstax textbook)

American Federation of Labor

103944_12 — 2025-06-21 03:08:05 UTC

The American Federation of Labor, also known as the AFL, was a coalition of twenty craft unions that aimed to combine into an autonomous union (formed 1886). This allowed them to extend their influence nationwide in urban industrial areas. In contrast the the KOL, they were focused on being more pragmatic, utilizing strikes, bargaining, and representing skilled trades. It was led by Samuel Gompers, and under his leadership, focused on economic gains for its members, staying away from political issues. By 1914, the coalition had one million members, and rose further to four million by 1920. Its limitations, however, included a lack of factory worker representation. The majority of its members were farm workers, with representation for only 15% of non-farm workers nationwide. This had consequences: America continued to become more industrialized and increase its industries in size, but representation still remained small, resulting in a lack of support and protection for the average middle class worker.

(Source: Openstax textbook)