The Early Labor Movement

Industrial Revolution Impact

• Marked a period of prosperity and expansion in America.
• Shifted the country into the modern era.
• Pitfalls:
  • Rapid growth led to poor working conditions.
  • Industrial bosses had power due to high labor supply.

Population Growth and Labor Force

• Between 1860 and 1910:
  • US population tripled.
  • Industrial workforce tripled.
• Immigration:
  • High demand for workers.
  • Excessive labor supply empowered industry bosses.

Labor Unions and Movements

National Labor Union

• First federation to encompass American unions.
• Emerged post-Civil War.
• Short-lived impact.

Order of the Knights of St. Crispin

• Largest union of its time, focused on the shoe industry.
• Opposed the mechanical production line replacing master cobblers.
• Eventually replaced by faster machines.

Knights of Labor

• Founded in 1869, expanded nationally.
• Included all production workers.
• Led by Terence Powderly.
• Politically active in fighting for workers' rights.

Haymarket Riot (1886)

• A bomb blast killed a police officer.
• Shifted public opinion against anarchist movements.
• Resulted in the collapse of the Knights of Labor.

American Federation of Labor

• Established by Samuel Gompers in 1886.
• Functioned as a national federation for skilled workers.
• Enhanced the labor movement's influence.
• Set the foundation for modern labor unions.