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Post by harperw on Jan 28, 2016 20:25:26 GMT
Harper Wood
Ian Lange-Lange
Haley Taylor
Organized labor failed to establish itself as a viable force in Gilded Age America, not because it faced hostile combinations and unsympathetic government, but because it ran counter to the doctrine of "rugged individualism." Asses the validity of this statement for the period 1875-1900.
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Post by harperw on Jan 28, 2016 20:30:06 GMT
What it's asking: Is it truthful to say that the reason for the failure of organized labor in the US was the conflict between the sensibilities of the unionized worker and the "rugged individualism" of the United States?
What's important (general): West vs East conflict, urbanization, change from agriculture to manufacturing, political puppeteering by manufacturers
Why it was chosen: This prompt shows that the student understand the nature of urban politics and change in the late 19th century. It also forces the writer to consider the new urban trends in relation to older American ideals.
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Post by harperw on Jan 28, 2016 20:52:29 GMT
Key Terms: Urbanization, Political Machines, "rugged individualism," manifest destiny, trusts, unions, Pinkertons, tenements
Hostile combinations: combination of all the groups that antagonized organized labor, such as Pinkertons, political bosses, factory owners, a surplus of unskilled laborers
Dates: 1877 Railroad Strike, 1886 Haymarket Strike, 1892 Homestead Strike, 1894 Pullman Strike
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Post by harperw on Jan 28, 2016 21:05:21 GMT
Thesis: To say that labor unions failed because of an inconsistency between their ideals and those of traditional America would be inaccurate; rather, their shortcomings were caused by the power of anti-labor groups, the failure of the government to intervene, and a surplus of unskilled labor.
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Post by Ian Lange on Feb 1, 2016 6:57:22 GMT
(a bit late, I know)
Intro: After the civil war, America's industry reached a golden age. Aided by wartime industrialization, the economy became incredibly strong. It was because of this strong economy that a select few corporations were able to rise to the top of the American market. With these large companies came new breakthroughs in factory efficiency. Gone was the age of the skilled worker, for automation in factories now allowed individual workers to make just one small part of the final product. Because most of these workers were unskilled and uneducated, they were almost all mistreated by their employers. Despite attempts to organize and demand better conditions, many workers remained powerless through much of the late 19th century. [thesis] To say that labor unions failed because of an inconsistency between their ideals and those of traditional America would be inaccurate; rather, their shortcomings were caused by the power of anti-labor groups, the failure of the government to intervene, and a surplus of unskilled labor.
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