The Growth of Unions and the Labor Movement by Keira Fryer

The Working Class

keirafryer08 — 2025-07-10 17:29:54 UTC

The working class primarily consisted of laborers, factory workers, and immigrants. This emerged in the late 19thand early 20th ceturies across the industrialized nations like the US and Europe. This movement aimed to improve working conditions, increase wages, reduce working hour, and secure workers' rights. To achieve these goals, the labor movement employed tactics suchs as organizing unions, strikes, boycotts, political lobbying, and collective bargaining.

The New Consumer Culture

keirafryer08 — 2025-07-10 17:36:06 UTC

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, as factories appeared in places like the US and Europe, regular workers had more money and free time. This meant they could buy more stuff, like new products advertised in growing marketing campaigns. The labor movement played a part by fighting for better pay so workers could afford these goods. At the same time, some in the movement also questioned whether buying so much stuff was really a good thing.

Panic of 1873

keirafryer08 — 2025-07-10 18:15:43 UTC

The Panic of 1873 was a huge financial crash in the United States that hurt workers, businesses, and investors. It all started because of bad bets on railroads and problems with banks. This caused job losses and pay cuts, so workers protested and formed goups t fight for better conditions. This helped the labor movement grow.

Scientific Management

keirafryer08 — 2025-07-10 18:17:45 UTC

Knights of Labor

keirafryer08 — 2025-07-10 18:22:57 UTC

These men formed a large labor group that welcomed all kinds of workers who were skilled, unskilled, women, and even Black workers. It all started in 1869, when they wanted better working conditions, shorter work days, and fair pay. They used strikes and protests to push for changes such as the eight-hour day and ending child labor. This really helped grow the labor movement.

American Federation of Labor

keirafryer08 — 2025-07-10 18:26:55 UTC

The American Federation of Labor (AFL) started in 1886 and was all about skilled workers. Samuel Gompers, the leader, pushed for better pay, working conditions, and job security. Instead of making huge social changes, they focused on getting real benefits for their members through strikes and deals with bosses. The AFL became a powerful voice for skilled workers in the United States.