Labor And Labor Unions 1800-1900
Hayes 5
Thomas Hayes
[email protected]
Professor Bennett
U.S. History 2
14 Nov 2017
Midterm
(The Importance of Labor and Labor unions 1800 1900) Prior to the American Civil War in 1861
much of American workforce was completed by slaves brought from Africa. Slave labor was used
mostly in southern agriculture. Working conditions for slaves were dismal at best with inadequate
housing, lack of food, resources and broken families. The quality of life for slaves was seldom taken
into account by slave owners as slaves were seen as property rather than people or employees. After
the Unions victory however the newly freed slaves desired to live on their own on their own land and
work for themselves. In January 1865 General William T. Sherman ... Show more content on
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This was done under contract and both white and black land owners that participated in this form of
labor. The establishment of labor unions by this point was not a new idea however their impact on
social change from this point forward made the most significant changes. In 1869, a labor union
known as the Knights of Labor sought to defend the common worker from poor compensation and to
improve working conditions for the working class. The idea was to literally hold the employer s
hostage by going on strike under protest until their demands had been met. During the 2nd industrial
revolution brought about an enormous surge in jobs in manufacturing and farming. This uptick in
production in all sectors and the lack of an income tax made many leaders in business extremely
wealthy. Workers believed that the distribution of the wealth was not fair and demanded they receive
their fair share. Though the wage disparity was high finding economic security and peace for workers
remain a fact of life to the present day. The change that labor unions bring have brought about safer
working conditions and wage increases however they have also had an even greater effect on social
issues. Labor unions played a significant role in government early on fought on the grounds of social
Darwinism and liberty of contract Give Me Liberty, An American History Pg. 563 564 . They used
their power and influence of the voting poor to sway the
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