Unfair Labor In The 1800's

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American men, women, and children struggled in the work force. They experienced unfair working conditions, low wages, and no health benefits. The factories were unsanitary. Children were also forced to work in these conditions. Working hours were long averaging at least ten hours a day and six days a week for men, women, and children. Laborers faced job instability, such as large pay cuts and job losses. It was very rare for an employer to offer compensation if a worker was injured on the job. Many people fought to change the labor conditions in the 1800s. Many people organized unions and strikes to fight unfair labor practices. The first union was the Knights Of Labor, created by Terence Powderly, which was composed of both skilled and unskilled …show more content…

Samuel Gompers thought that organizing a union would be a start. He formed the American Federation of Labor. It was voluntary to join. Samuel Gompers thought that if workers went on strike, they would obtain what they wanted. Under his leadership, many workers received more appropriate wages, hours, and benefits. Workers organized strikes which were nonviolent to fight for better employment benefits. On May 4, 1886 in Chicago, Illinois, the Haymarket Square Riot occurred. It is said to be one the most significant riots in history. It brought public awareness about the unfairness of employment in the United States. This particular strike was intended to be nonviolent, but it was vicious and disorderly. A police captain named John Bonfield ordered his policeman to attack the strikers. A unanimous attendee in the crowd threw a bomb at the police. When the strike was finally over, eight policeman and eight protesters were killed, and over seventy others were injured. Although this strike was unsuccessful, workers still decided to …show more content…

Children as young as seven years old were called to work in factories because they could move faster and they were smaller. Children were not allowed to attend school because they were sent to work. In these factories, children had no protective equipment to prevent them from injuries. In 1900, over 1.7 million children under the age of sixteen worked in factories. Many people worked to help end child labor. There were several attempts to end child labor. A muckraker named John Spargo wrote “The Bitter Cry of the Children” which exposed the labor conditions of children. Children worked as long as ten hours a day. His book and other reports convinced states to pass laws limiting hours children should be allowed to work. Americans disagreed with the labor of children and believed they should be in school. The Keating Owen Act was mentioned by Woodrow Wilson to outlaw child labor but Congress vetoed the law calling it

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