Challenges in Organized Labor: 1875-1900

Late 19th-century America witnessed a complex juxtaposition of prosperity and poverty. While the opulent lifestyles of figures like the Rockefellers and Carnegies are often highlighted, the stark reality for the majority was a struggling working class. Families toiled in hazardous, unsanitary factories for long hours and meager pay, laying the groundwork for a pressing need to reform working conditions. The organized labor movement from 1875-1900, aimed at addressing these concerns, faced significant challenges and limitations that hindered its success. This essay explores the initial failure of strikes, the prevailing sense of employer superiority, and the lack of governmental support as key factors in the struggles of organized labor during this period.

The Struggle for Effective Strikes

The absence of a successful precedent for organized labor in the late 19th century made the task incredibly daunting. For unions to be effective, striking needed to be a powerful tool, yet the early attempts proved largely futile. The National Labor Union, formed in the 1860s, aimed at unifying workers for better wages and improved working conditions.

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However, strikes such as the massive one in 1877 involving railroad workers resulted in violence and minimal reforms. An editorial in The New York Times reflected the prevailing sentiment: "the strike is apparently hopeless, and must be regarded as nothing more than a rash and spiteful demonstration of resentment..." (Document B).

This early failure, acknowledged even by advocates of labor reform, set a discouraging tone. The violent outcomes of strikes, such as the 1892 Homestead Steel Plant strike, not only led to the loss of lives but also contributed to negative perceptions of laborers.

The overarching impression was that organized labor was not the solution to improving working conditions.

The Perception of Employer Superiority

The industrial era ushered in unprecedented power for employers, perpetuating a prevailing attitude that viewed them as inherently superior to their employees. Testifying before the Senate Committee on Labor and Capital in 1883, a machinist highlighted the stark reality: "100 men are able to do now what it took 300 or 400 men to do fifteen years ago" (Document D). This mindset, deeply ingrained in American society, created an uphill battle for workers seeking fair treatment.

Furthermore, the very workers advocating for better conditions inadvertently undermined their cause. The acceptance of the notion that workers were mere numbers was evident in their willingness to sign contracts, like the one from the Western Union Telegraph Company, which forbade union participation (Document E). The weakness of the unions reflected their inability to alter the perception of workers as subordinate entities, contributing to the overall inefficacy of the organized labor movement.

The Role of Government: A Passive Stance

Perhaps most crucial to the failure of organized labor during this period was the lack of support from the United States government. Without a proactive government advocating for workers' rights, unions faced an uphill battle. Public sentiment, fueled by illustrations like Thomas Nast's portrayal of laborers as destructive forces moving towards communism, further hindered progress (Document C).

Even basic rights, such as the right to strike, were not officially granted by the government, as highlighted by Samuel Gompers, the founder of the American Federation of Labor, in his testimony before a House of Representatives commission in 1899 (Document I). The absence of a clear endorsement from the government left unions in a vulnerable position, making it difficult for them to garner public support and legitimacy.

In conclusion, the organized labor movement faced formidable challenges from 1875-1900, hindering its ability to effect substantial change in working conditions. The early failure of strikes, the deeply rooted perception of employer superiority, and the passive stance of the government collectively contributed to the movement's lack of success. This period was inherently tied to the rapid advancement of industrialism, and significant improvements in labor conditions would only materialize as the government eventually took a more active role and as organized labor gained strength and respect in later years.