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WorksheetsThe American Labor Movement
Total questions: 20
Worksheet time: 10mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
Read the passage then answer the question:
As business leaders merged and consolidated their forces, it seemed necessary for workers to do the same. Although northern wages were generally higher than southern wages, exploitation and unsafe working conditions drew workers together across regions in a nationwide labor movement. Laborers—skilled and unskilled; female and male; black, brown, and white; immigrant and non-immigrant—joined together in unions to try to improve their lot.
Which of the following would best describe the main idea in this paragraph?
As business leaders merged and consolidated their forces, it seemed necessary for workers to do the same. Although northern wages were generally higher than southern wages, exploitation and unsafe working conditions drew workers together across regions in a nationwide labor movement. Laborers—skilled and unskilled; female and male; black, brown, and white; immigrant and non-immigrant—joined together in unions to try to improve their lot.
Which of the following would best describe the main idea in this paragraph?
a)
Business leaders were rapidly gaining more power, so it seemed necessary for workers to join together to do the same.
b)
Northern wages were generally higher than southern wages, but laborers chose to band together anyway.
c)
Workers faced exploitation and unsafe working conditions.
d)
Laborers of all races and genders joined together in unions.
2.
What would be the best heading for this paragraph?
One of the largest employers, the steel mills, often demanded a seven-day workweek. Seamstresses, like factory workers in most industries, worked 12 or more hours a day, six days a week. Employees were not entitled to vacation, sick leave, unemployment compensation, or reimbursement for injuries suffered on the job.
One of the largest employers, the steel mills, often demanded a seven-day workweek. Seamstresses, like factory workers in most industries, worked 12 or more hours a day, six days a week. Employees were not entitled to vacation, sick leave, unemployment compensation, or reimbursement for injuries suffered on the job.
a)
The Steel Mills Had the Worst Working Conditions
b)
Workers Were Forced to Work Long Hours
c)
Laborers Worked Long Hours and in Dangerous Conditions
d)
Factory Workers Worked in Hazardous Conditions
3.
Injuries were common. Factories were dirty and poorly ventilated, and workers had to perform repetitive, mind-dulling tasks (like school!), sometimes with dangerous or faulty equipment. In 1882 an average of 675 laborers were killed in work-related accidents each week. In addition, wages were so low that most families could not survive unless everyone held a job. Between 1890 and 1910, for example, the number of women working for wages doubled, from 4 million to more than 8 million. Twenty percent of the boys and ten percent of the girls under age 15 also held full-time jobs. Some were as young as five years old. With little time or energy left for school, child laborers forfeited their futures to help their families make ends meet.
Why was it that most families could not survive unless everyone held a job?
Why was it that most families could not survive unless everyone held a job?
a)
Factories only offered part-time jobs
b)
Wages were so low
c)
Jobs were scarce and hard to find
d)
Living in the city was extremely expensive
4.
According to Jacob Riis, how were working conditions for children in sweatshops?
“The bulk of the sweater’s work is done in the tenements, which the law that regulates factory labor does not reach. . . . In [them] the child works unchallenged from the day he is old enough to pull a thread. There is no such thing as a dinner hour; men and women eat while they work, and the ‘day’ is lengthened at both ends far into the night.”—Jacob Riisfrom How the Other Half Lives
“The bulk of the sweater’s work is done in the tenements, which the law that regulates factory labor does not reach. . . . In [them] the child works unchallenged from the day he is old enough to pull a thread. There is no such thing as a dinner hour; men and women eat while they work, and the ‘day’ is lengthened at both ends far into the night.”—Jacob Riisfrom How the Other Half Lives
a)
They worked in unregulated factories for long hours and no breaks
b)
They were unchallenged by regulations, so they could do what they wanted
c)
The working conditions were decent, but they had to work long hours
d)
It was an awesome experience and great preparation for when they grow up
5.
Early Labor Organizing
Skilled workers had formed small, local unions since the late 1700s. The first large-scale national organization of laborers, the National Labor Union (NLU), was formed in 1866. The refusal of some NLU local chapters to admit African Americans led to the creation of the Colored National Labor Union (CNLU). NLU membership grew to 640,000. In 1868 the NLU persuaded Congress to legalize an eight-hour day for government workers.
What was the NLU Union able to accomplish?
Skilled workers had formed small, local unions since the late 1700s. The first large-scale national organization of laborers, the National Labor Union (NLU), was formed in 1866. The refusal of some NLU local chapters to admit African Americans led to the creation of the Colored National Labor Union (CNLU). NLU membership grew to 640,000. In 1868 the NLU persuaded Congress to legalize an eight-hour day for government workers.
What was the NLU Union able to accomplish?
a)
They indirectly formed the Colored National Labor Union (CNLU)
b)
They were able to persuade Congress to legalize the 8-hour work day for skilled workers.
c)
They were able to persuade Congress to legalize the 8-hour work day for government workers.
d)
They made spaceships out of cans, but they only flew about 25 feet.
6.
The Power of Unions
As more and more workers joined unions, they were able to exert increased power on business leaders. They concentrated on issues like higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions. One of the best ways to obtain these benefits was through collective bargaining. In collective bargaining, union officials representing the workers negotiate with management. If negotiation fails, workers may strike or organize a boycott to support union demands.
What is the purpose of collective bargaining?
As more and more workers joined unions, they were able to exert increased power on business leaders. They concentrated on issues like higher wages, shorter hours, and better working conditions. One of the best ways to obtain these benefits was through collective bargaining. In collective bargaining, union officials representing the workers negotiate with management. If negotiation fails, workers may strike or organize a boycott to support union demands.
What is the purpose of collective bargaining?
a)
To meet with a management in order to demand that workers conditions be met.
b)
To increase workers' power to negotiate for better working conditions by having them bargain collectively.
c)
To have workers go on strike or boycott until their demands are fully met.
d)
To destroy companies which are bad for the environment, or communist
7.
With increased union membership also came increased political power. Each union member was a potential voter. Unions could leverage this fact to influence sympathetic politicians. These politicians would in turn draft and pass laws favorable to labor. In addition, unions could use their influence among members to raise money for and run their own political candidates.
According to this paragraph, how did increased union membership lead to laws that were favorable to workers?
According to this paragraph, how did increased union membership lead to laws that were favorable to workers?
a)
Unions had the increased political power to rig elections. Each union member could force their employers to agree to laws that were favorable to labor
b)
Members could influence politicians to allow them to take over management from their employers.
c)
As membership grew, unions had greater influence on the outcome of elections. They could now elect politicians who would draft laws that were favorable to their labor causes.
d)
Increased union membership led directly to World War II, since the common citizens and workers were now united and could overthrow the government, leading to the rise of Hitler.
8.
How did industrial working conditions contribute to the growth of the labor movement?
a)
Unfair working conditions caused people to unite and gather together to protest the U.S. Government
b)
Poor working conditions and low wages forced workers to organize into unions to demand fair treatment.
c)
The invention of Doritos began the downward spiral of society, which will end in the apocalypse
d)
Giant factories caused thousands of people to move to the cities to work and form unions for their employers
9.
What is the artist of this cartoon most likely trying to portray about workers and big business?
a)
He was trying to illustrate how poverty is like a knight in shining armor, against the weak threat of big business
b)
It demonstrates that if people join together into unions that they could overcome any challenge presented by big business.
c)
He was trying to depict what it looked like for people in that era to settle their differences
d)
The monumental struggle faced by early labor unions in organizing workers to fight big business.
10.
One form of labor organization was the craft union, which included skilled workers from one or more trades. Samuel Gompers led the Cigar Makers’ International Union to join other craft unions in 1886. The American Federation of Labor (AFL), with Gompers as its president, was able to reach written agreements on wages, hours, and working conditions. Unlike the Knights of Labor, the AFL used strikes as a major tactic. Successful strikes helped the AFL win higher wages and shorter workweeks. Between 1890 and 1915, the average weekly wages in unionized industries rose from $17.50 to $24. The average workweek fell from almost 54.5 hours to just under 49 hours.
What tactic did craft unionism use to successfully increase workers conditions?
What tactic did craft unionism use to successfully increase workers conditions?
a)
boycotts
b)
strikes
c)
protests
d)
eggs
11.
Industrial Unionism
Some labor leaders felt that unions should include all laborers—skilled and unskilled—in a specific industry. This concept captured the imagination of Eugene V. Debs, who attempted to form such an industrial union—the American Railway Union (ARU). Most of the new union’s members were unskilled and semiskilled laborers, but skilled engineers and firemen joined too. Debs believed that the strike was “the weapon of the oppressed.” In 1894 the new union won a strike for higher wages. Within two months, its membership climbed to 150,000, dwarfing the 90,000 enrolled in the four skilled railroad brotherhoods. Though the ARU, like the Knights of Labor, never recovered after the failure of a major strike, it added to the momentum of union organizing.
What major difference separated Industrial Unions from other Unions?
Some labor leaders felt that unions should include all laborers—skilled and unskilled—in a specific industry. This concept captured the imagination of Eugene V. Debs, who attempted to form such an industrial union—the American Railway Union (ARU). Most of the new union’s members were unskilled and semiskilled laborers, but skilled engineers and firemen joined too. Debs believed that the strike was “the weapon of the oppressed.” In 1894 the new union won a strike for higher wages. Within two months, its membership climbed to 150,000, dwarfing the 90,000 enrolled in the four skilled railroad brotherhoods. Though the ARU, like the Knights of Labor, never recovered after the failure of a major strike, it added to the momentum of union organizing.
What major difference separated Industrial Unions from other Unions?
a)
It included skilled and unskilled laborers
b)
It included men and women
c)
Skilled engineers and firemen joined
d)
They won strikes for higher wages
12.
Socialism
In an attempt to solve the problems faced by workers, Eugene Debs and some other labor activists eventually turned to socialism. Socialism is an economic and political system based on government control of business and property and equal distribution of wealth. Socialism carried to its extreme form is communism, as advocated by the German philosopher Karl Marx. Socialism would result in the overthrow of the capitalist system.
Why would socialism appeal to unskilled laborers?
In an attempt to solve the problems faced by workers, Eugene Debs and some other labor activists eventually turned to socialism. Socialism is an economic and political system based on government control of business and property and equal distribution of wealth. Socialism carried to its extreme form is communism, as advocated by the German philosopher Karl Marx. Socialism would result in the overthrow of the capitalist system.
Why would socialism appeal to unskilled laborers?
a)
Because socialism is an economic system based on equal distribution of wealth, no matter what skill one has.
b)
Because socialism guarantees equal pay and property to unskilled workers
c)
Because their poor working conditions were te result of capitalism
d)
Because socialism guarantees that everyone gets Chicken McNugget Fridays
13.
How did craft unions and industrial unions differ?
a)
They did not differ
b)
Craft unions supported both skilled and unskilled workers
c)
Industrial Unions accepted both skilled and unskilled workers
d)
Craft unions only allowed workers who specialized in cheese
14.
Analyze the photo: what is the cartoonist most likely trying to say?
a)
That people who join their man club will rule the world
b)
Workers are far more powerful when united than when alone
c)
That it would be really cool to make a big parade float in the shape of a fist
d)
Craft unions are like a fist
15.
The Great Strike of 1877
In July 1877 workers for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) struck to protest their second wage cut in two months. The strike quickly spread to other railroad lines. Most freight trains and even some passenger traffic, covering over 50,000 miles, were stopped for weeks. Over 100,000 railroad workers joined in the strike. Several state governors asked President Rutherford B. Hayes to intervene, saying that the strikers were impeding interstate commerce. Federal troops ended the strike, where an estimated 100 people were killed.
What was the major cause of the Great Strike of 1877?
In July 1877 workers for the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) struck to protest their second wage cut in two months. The strike quickly spread to other railroad lines. Most freight trains and even some passenger traffic, covering over 50,000 miles, were stopped for weeks. Over 100,000 railroad workers joined in the strike. Several state governors asked President Rutherford B. Hayes to intervene, saying that the strikers were impeding interstate commerce. Federal troops ended the strike, where an estimated 100 people were killed.
What was the major cause of the Great Strike of 1877?
a)
They were joining in with 100,000 other railroad workers who had begun to strike
b)
railroad workers were protesting their second pay cut in two months
c)
They were striking against dangerous conditions and poor treatment by managers
d)
The B&O Railroad Company refused to carry Pepsi products instead of Coke in their vending machines
16.
The Haymarket Affair
Encouraged by the impact of the 1877 strike, labor leaders continued to press for change. On the evening of May 4, 1886, 3,000 people gathered at Chicago’s Haymarket Square to protest police brutality. A striker had been killed and several had been wounded at the McCormick Harvester plant the day before. Rain began to fall at about 10 o’clock, and the crowd was dispersing when police arrived. An unknown person tossed a bomb into the police line. Police began firing on the workers. Seven police officers and several workers died in the chaos that followed. The person who threw the bomb was never discovered, but the three speakers at the demonstration and five other radicals were charged with inciting a riot. All eight were convicted; four were hanged and one committed suicide in prison. The three surviving men were later pardoned by the governor of Illinois. He justified the pardon because he believed that the accused had not received a fair trial. After Haymarket, the public began to turn against the labor movement.
What were the people at Haymarket protesting against?
Encouraged by the impact of the 1877 strike, labor leaders continued to press for change. On the evening of May 4, 1886, 3,000 people gathered at Chicago’s Haymarket Square to protest police brutality. A striker had been killed and several had been wounded at the McCormick Harvester plant the day before. Rain began to fall at about 10 o’clock, and the crowd was dispersing when police arrived. An unknown person tossed a bomb into the police line. Police began firing on the workers. Seven police officers and several workers died in the chaos that followed. The person who threw the bomb was never discovered, but the three speakers at the demonstration and five other radicals were charged with inciting a riot. All eight were convicted; four were hanged and one committed suicide in prison. The three surviving men were later pardoned by the governor of Illinois. He justified the pardon because he believed that the accused had not received a fair trial. After Haymarket, the public began to turn against the labor movement.
What were the people at Haymarket protesting against?
a)
the conviction and hanging of four speakers at a demonstration
b)
worker treatment at the Harvester plant
c)
fair wages
d)
police brutality
17.
The Homestead Strike
Despite the violence and rising public anger, workers continued to strike. On June 29, 1892, after company president Henry Clay Frick announced his plan to cut wages, workers at the Carnegie Steel Company’s Homestead plant in Pennsylvania called a strike. Frick hired armed guards from the Pinkerton Detective Agency to protect the plant so that he could hire scabs (strikebreakers), to keep it operating. In a pitched battle, at least three detectives and nine workers died. The steelworkers forced out the Pinkertons and kept the plant closed until the Pennsylvania National Guard arrived on July 12. The strike continued until November, but by then the union had lost much of its support and gave in to the company. It would take 45 years for steelworkers to mobilize once again.
Why was the public slowly turning against strikers at this point?
Despite the violence and rising public anger, workers continued to strike. On June 29, 1892, after company president Henry Clay Frick announced his plan to cut wages, workers at the Carnegie Steel Company’s Homestead plant in Pennsylvania called a strike. Frick hired armed guards from the Pinkerton Detective Agency to protect the plant so that he could hire scabs (strikebreakers), to keep it operating. In a pitched battle, at least three detectives and nine workers died. The steelworkers forced out the Pinkertons and kept the plant closed until the Pennsylvania National Guard arrived on July 12. The strike continued until November, but by then the union had lost much of its support and gave in to the company. It would take 45 years for steelworkers to mobilize once again.
Why was the public slowly turning against strikers at this point?
a)
Strikes no longer seemed to be providing beneficial outcomes
b)
Strikes were becoming increasingly more violent and destructive of private property
c)
It was perceived that the industrial giants of the time had accumulated too much power to overcome
d)
Strikers were hippies, and the public hates hippies
18.
Why did the workers at the Homestead plant strike?
a)
Carnegie had hired armed guards to escort the workers to and from work
b)
the company president at Carnegie Steel announced plans to cut wages
c)
About half of the workforce was being fired or let go.
d)
everything caught on fire
19.
The Pullman Company Strike
Strikes continued in other industries, however. During the panic of 1893 and the economic depression that followed, the Pullman company laid off more than 3,000 of its 5,800 employees. It cut the wages of the rest by 25 to 50 percent, without cutting the cost of its employee housing. After paying their rent, many workers took home less than $6 a week. A strike was called in the spring of 1894 when the Pullman company failed to restore wages or decrease rents. Eugene Debs asked for arbitration, but Pullman refused to negotiate with the strikers. So the ARU began boycotting Pullman trains.
Why was a strike called in the spring of 1894?
Strikes continued in other industries, however. During the panic of 1893 and the economic depression that followed, the Pullman company laid off more than 3,000 of its 5,800 employees. It cut the wages of the rest by 25 to 50 percent, without cutting the cost of its employee housing. After paying their rent, many workers took home less than $6 a week. A strike was called in the spring of 1894 when the Pullman company failed to restore wages or decrease rents. Eugene Debs asked for arbitration, but Pullman refused to negotiate with the strikers. So the ARU began boycotting Pullman trains.
Why was a strike called in the spring of 1894?
a)
The Pullman company laid off more than 3,000 of its employees
b)
workers took home less than $6 a week
c)
Pullman was fat...no one liked him
d)
The Pullman company failed to restore wages or decrease rents
20.
After Pullman hired strikebreakers, the strike turned violent. President Grover Cleveland sent in federal troops. In the bitter aftermath, Debs was jailed. Pullman fired most of the strikers, and the railroads blacklisted many others, so they could never again get railroad jobs.
Just guessing by inference, what is a strikebreaker?
Just guessing by inference, what is a strikebreaker?
a)
Hired policemen who are called in to help the strikers.
b)
Thugs who are hired by a company leader to come in and physically break up a strike, violently if necessary.
c)
People who are sent in to negotiate between the strikers and the company management.
d)
Animals sent in to turn a strike into a parade.
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