Workers During The 1900s S - 1682 Words

Workers in the 1870s to 1930s Throughout history many people, such as politicians, officials, and generals, have been noted to have molded the United States, neglecting the fact that workers have also played an important role in shaping this nation’s history. During the 1870s to the 1930s, laborers faced many hardships; they had trouble keeping their jobs, had their wages decreased, and were forced to work sixty-hour weeks without insurance. Over time, workers began to feel aggravated by their employers’ demands and began to voice their opinions. Only by forming into unions and standing up to what employers’ thought was â€Å"freedom† in the workplace were the laborers able to change working conditions more favorable for them. Early in the†¦show more content†¦Eventually the workers began to protest. They went on strikes, formed unions, and even used violence against the employers. One of the unions called the Knights of Labor, founded in the 186 9, fought for eight-hour workdays and wage equality among male, female, black, and white workers. They participated in many strikes, boycotts, and other activities protesting for workplace freedom. Another labor union was the American Federation of Labor founded in 1881 consisting of mostly skilled workers. Formed in 1903, the International Ladies’ Garment Workers Union and Women’s Trade Union League also played a role in aiding workers, specifically female laborers, to gain work rights. These labor movements played significant roles in history because they influenced or forced employers to make changes in the workplace. One of the key issues that workers were fighting for was wages. During the 1870s to 1920s, employers often lowered the workers’ wages. For example, when the legislature of Massachusetts enacted a fifty-four hour working limit per week, employers decided to lower the wages. During the first national labor walkout, laborers protested against employers decreasing their wages; this event became known as the Great Railroad Strike of 1877. An example of a successful strike was in New Orleans of 1907, 10,000 dockworkers were able to stop employers from reducing their wages. In 1912, the Industrial Workers of the World and other workers went on strike