American society takes an unorthodox turn during the second industrial revolution and the "traditional dream of economic independence seemed obsolete" (Foner 478). The changes made throughout the second industrial revolution changes American society through the laborers themselves and the labor they do. Through the creation of unions, the strikes they have caused, and the involvement of minorities, the traditional values of America have shifted to obtaining wealth and prestige, over democratic freedom and economic security.
In the 1880's the first group to try to organize unskilled workers as well as skilled, "women alongside men, and blacks as well as whites (Foner 502). The first group was called the Knights of Labor which involved millions of workers in strikes, boycotts, political action, and educational and social activities."Between 1880 and 1900, an average of 35,000 workers perished each year in factory and mine accidents..."(Foner 482). During the 1890's the American Federation of Labor "devoted itself to negotiating with empoloyers for higher wages and better working conditions for its members." (Foner 527). Although the unions were supposed to represent a feelings of unity, the AFL restricted its membership to skilled workers only which were a small majority of the labor force, excluding women and immigrants. In 1905 another group was formed, members that were rejected by the AFL came together to from the Industrial Workers of the World and their goal was to bring those who were excluded from the AFL together.
These new unions forming and the growth of industry caused the uprising of strikes and boycotts, for example the Haymarket Affair. The Haymarket Affair was brought together in Chicago with a large and vibrant labor movement that brouyght together native-bron and immigrant workers, whose outlooks ranged from immigrant socialism to anarchism to American traditions for equality and anti-monopoly. On this day, four strikers were killed by policemen, people eventually took this opportunity to label the strike as an un-American force which was seen to be controlled by foreign-born radicals. (Foner 505)
Because of the transformation from the farm life to the industry, many women are needed to work due to the increase demand of labor in factories. "Women... enjoyed larger opportunities than in the past for economic independence and played a greater and greate role in public life." (Foner 528). The roles of women in the American household have changed because many women over time have become independent of their husbands and work for their own wages. "Nearly 5 million women worked for wages in 1900" (Foner 528). Woman in society were seen more than just housewives because they are given equal economic opportunity as men. "Although most were young, unmarried, and concentrated in traditional jobs such as domestic service and the garment industry, a generation of college-educated women was beginning to take its place in better-paying clerical and professional positions." (Foner 528). Although women were accepted into the labor force in American society, the working conditions were terrible which were shown in the "City Slave Girls" By Neil Cusack. As someone describes their experience until they went down to Ellinger's cloak factory where "labor is bondage, the laborer a slave, and flesh and blood cheaper than needles and thread." (City Slave girls 2014).
Children were also part of this expanded labor force as they take on the same amount of work as adults, the desire for wealth in this new American society is shown through the amount of effort that they are putting to make their youngest members work. "If the child is too small to sit up, it is held in the lap of the worker..." (Hinr, 1909). " The living conditions in the shacks they only harmful in physical ways, but the total lack of privacy where several families live in one room is very bad. (Hinr, 1909). The inclusion of child labor into these conditions could only support that the values the American society valued before shows the need and desperation of wealth and prestige over economic security,.
With the creations of corporations and unions, to women being involved in the labor force, the desire for obtaining wealth is shown in the newly formed American culture because of the horrible working conditions and the inclusion of child labor. With the creation of unions and their strikes with what they have accomplished, the American society has changed to adapt to the new industrial environment. American society at the time has changed to wealth and prestige and has shifted the American values of democratic freedom and economic security.
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Important Dates:
1870- beginning of transformation of 11 million Americans moving from farm to industrial cities 1880-1900: 35,000 Workers perished each year 1880's: Knights of Labor first group to try to organize unskilled workers, women alongside men 1888: "City Slave Girls" exposing working conditions for women in the city's homes, factories and sweatshops 1890's: Labeled "Women Era" and the ascendancy of the American Federation of Labor 1895: Illinois Supreme Court established 48 hour a week for women and children 1898: "Women and economics" published by Charlotte Perkins Gilman 1900: 5 million women worked for wages, 20.4% of all women worked 1905: Industrial workers of the World formed, included women, blacks, immigrants who were rejected by the AFL 1908: Muller vs Oregon, upheld Oregon Law of max hours for women 1910: 25.2% of all women worked |
Resources:
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!. W.W Norton and Company, Inc., 2012.
Archive of Primary Sources:
Cusack, Neil. “City Slave Girls,” Chicago Times, July 30,1888. Accessed October 1. 2014.
http://dlib.nyu.edu/undercover/sites/dlib.nyu.edu.undercover/files/documents/uploads/editors/Nell_Nelson_7-30-1888.pdf
Hinr, Lewis W., “Child Labor in the Canning Industry of Maryland,” (1909).
Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty!. W.W Norton and Company, Inc., 2012.
Archive of Primary Sources:
Cusack, Neil. “City Slave Girls,” Chicago Times, July 30,1888. Accessed October 1. 2014.
http://dlib.nyu.edu/undercover/sites/dlib.nyu.edu.undercover/files/documents/uploads/editors/Nell_Nelson_7-30-1888.pdf
Hinr, Lewis W., “Child Labor in the Canning Industry of Maryland,” (1909).