Organized Labor
What was the typical work week duration for American laborers during the Gilded Age?
Ten hour shifts, six days a week.
What event triggered the Great Upheaval?
A 10% pay cut for railroad workers.
What tactic did workers commonly use to demand better conditions?
Strikes.
What was the first nationwide labor organization founded in 1866?
National Labor Union (NLU).
Who is considered the father of American socialism?
Eugene V. Debs.
What significant event for women's suffrage occurred in 1848?
The Seneca Falls Convention.
What was a common reason for women to be fired during the Gilded Age?
Becoming pregnant.
Where did the Great Upheaval begin?
Martinsburg, West Virginia.
What is a 'lockout'?
When owners bar employees from entering the facilities.
Who was the founder of the National Labor Union?
William Sylvis.
What did socialists believe about wealth distribution?
It should be shared among those who create the products.
What two organizations were formed to advocate for women’s suffrage?
National Woman Suffrage Association (NWSA) and American Woman Suffrage Association (AWSA).
What was one critical demand that workers united for during the formation of unions?
The adoption of an eight-hour workday.
What was the role of the National Guard during the Great Upheaval?
They were sent to disperse strikers and protect trains.
What were strikebreakers known as by union members?
Scabs.
Which organization succeeded the NLU and included all wage earners?
The Knights of Labor.
What was the name of the union led by Eugene V. Debs?
American Railway Union.
Who was the prominent leader of the NWSA?
Susan B. Anthony.
What was a major challenge faced by labor unions during the Gilded Age?
Intimidation and violence from employers.
How many workers went on strike during the Great Upheaval?
Over 100,000 workers.
How did management typically respond to strikes?
By hiring strikebreakers or using legal injunctions.
What was the significant event that led to the decline of the Knights of Labor?
The Haymarket Square bombing.
What was the outcome of the Pullman Strike?
It ended with federal troops suppressing the strike and Debs being arrested.
What was the outcome of the 19th Amendment?
It granted women the right to vote.
How did organized labor ultimately benefit American workers?
Higher wages, a 40-hour work week, weekends off, and safer working conditions.
Why is the Great Upheaval considered a significant moment in labor history?
It was the first mass strike that demonstrated workers’ solidarity and concerns for their quality of life.
What are the two main demands of labor throughout history?
Higher wages and better working conditions.
How did the American Federation of Labor differentiate itself from previous organizations?
It focused on skilled workers and kept demands simple.
What were the "Wobblies"?
Members of the Industrial Workers of the World (I.W.W.) advocating for direct action against employers.
How did the entry of the United States into World War I impact the women's suffrage movement?
It shifted momentum towards suffrage as women took on prominent roles in the war effort.