USH Module 4A Section #2 Bellwork

Why were labor unions formed during the Gilded Age?

• To promote monopolies and trusts for growth and productivity

• To protect workers from unfair treatment and poor conditions

• To support factory owners

• To eliminate all jobs for unskilled workers

Match each labor term with its definition:

• Union

• Negotiation between unions and employers

• Collective Bargaining

• Workers stop working to demand better conditions

• Strike

• A group of workers organized to protect their rights

• Closed Shop

• Workplace where only union members are hired

One major reason businesses resisted unions was because they ______.

• Increased wages and improved conditions for workers.

• Encouraged company profits due to increased tax revenue for the country.

• Supported big business over labor due to a desire to return to agriculture.

• Had no influence over factory conditions

What does Twain’s quote suggest about the Gilded Age?
“...glittering on the surface, but corrupt underneath.”

• Industrial progress benefited everyone equally

• The government strongly supported workers' rights

• The labor movement eliminated corruption

• Extreme wealth masked widespread poverty and poor living conditions

Categorize the following as either “Labor Union Tactic” or “Business Tactic to Stop Unions”:

Groups:

(a) Labor Union Tactic

,

(b) Business Tactic to Stop Unions

• Firing

• Lockouts

• Collective Bargaining

• Strikes

• Closed Shop

• Strikebreaking

Place the following major labor strikes in order:

• Railroad Strike of 1877

• Haymarket Square Incident

• Railroad Strike of 1877

What was the main goal of the labor movement?

• To improve wages, working conditions, and hours

• To eliminate industrial jobs and return to a simpler way of life

• To protect business owners from strikes and regulation

• To increase child labor since it was the cheapest

What does the cartoon suggest about the relationship between big business and the government?

• The government supported workers over business owners

• Big business had significant influence over government policies

• The government remained neutral in labor disputes

• Unions had more power than businesses

The term “closed shop” refers to a workplace where ______.

• Only union members are hired

• Employees cannot form unions

• Only skilled workers are hired

• The government regulates wages

What happened during the Haymarket Square Incident?

• A peaceful strike ended with government reforms and is celebrated as the success of the labor movement.

• Factory owners negotiated with workers to improve wages.

• The federal government took control of major industries.

• A bomb exploded during a labor protest, leading to deaths and public distrust of unions.