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Briana Simon

Coach Ryan

APUSH

7 February 2011

DBQ

During the late nineteenth century, America witnessed the rise of multiple labor organizations

developed to provide relief for working class Americans. Some of these organizations included the

Knights of Labor, the National Labor Union, and the American Federation of Labor. The purpose of the

unions was to help those who suffered from low wages, unhealthy working conditions, and the corruption

of business owners. During this period the labor unions accomplished little success towards their goal.

The factors that led to this were violent strikes that did not come out with worthy results, the forceful

signing of “yellow dog” contracts by workers, and decision of government to leave the issue of reform in

the employers’ hands.

Between the 1870s and 1900s many violent strikes broke out across America. These strikes were

led by leaders of labor unions and were supported by suppressed workers. Business owners began to fear

that uprisings would breakout, and as a result many began to higher Pinkertons, guards who halted any

violence. During these violent outbreaks many were killed including police, workers, and civilians. For

instance the Homestead strikes proved particularly violent resulting in a large toll of death including

strikers, laborers, onlookers, and police (Doc. G). The strikes never resulted in useful outcomes instead

they brought about harsher conditions in working areas. In 1893 the American Railway Union, led by

Eugene V. Debs, protested against business owner George Pullman who slashed wages when a depression

waved across the country. In retaliation union members refused to replace Pullman carts on the railroads,

which influenced Pullman to ask for an injunction from the government to punish them. The government

in turn said that “it has always been recognized as one of the powers and duties of a government to

remove obstructions from the highway under its control…” (Doc. H). Instead of peacefully coming to an
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agreement with employers, labor unions took matters into their own hands causing nothing but more

trouble for the working class Americans.

In this time period business operators created a system known as the “yellow dog” contracts to be

sure that employees did not participate in labor organization activities. These contracts explained how if

workers were to join unions they would in the end be fired from their occupation. The contracts were a

strong insurance for businesses in fear of protests. The Western Union Telegraph Company issued a

“yellow dog” contract that says quote, “…that I will forthwith abandon any and all membership,

connection or affiliation with any organization or society, whether secret or open, which in anywise

attempts to regulate the condition of my services or the payment thereof while in the employment now

undertaken,” (Doc. E).

During the late nineteenth century, government addressed that they believed the tsk of reform of

business laid in the hands of employers, therefore making it their responsibility to respond to labor

organizations requests. The American government stated that “…improvements in the methods or

production and distribution are constantly being made, and unless they occasionally strike, or have the

power to enter upon the strike, the improvements will all go to the employer and all the injuries to the

employees…”(Doc. I). With this responsibility, employers refused to lessen work days or to increase

wages. Between 1875 and 1891, the working day remained around an average of nine hours and wages

only slightly increased (Doc. A). A strong animosity towards business owners began to grow within the

heart of the American working class. These employers sat in their offices as the low wage paid laborers

slaved over their machines for a nine hour day. This situation is depicted through the cartoon drawn by

Thomas Nast, where a laborer is working away while the employer stands aside watching (Doc. C).

During the period of industrialization in American numerous labor groups were formed in hopes

of protesting suppressed workers. These groups did not acquire success due to violent strikes, the issuing

of “yellow dog” contracts, and the responsibility of employers to enforce reform. This time period

witnessed and abundance of tension between separate classes.