"The industrial revolution has tended to produce everywhere great urban masses that seem to be increasingly careless of ethical standards." -Irving Babbit
Historical Context
There were not many events surrounding or related to the formation of the labor unions. There is one, however, and that would be the American Industrial Revolution. Listed below are issues that workers during this period had with their work and workplaces.
- The Industrial Revolution
-Low (slave) wages
-Dangerous work
-Workers were expendable and easily replaceable
-Child labor
-Long work hours
-Poor living conditions for low and working classes
-Population increase
-Unsafe or unsanitary work places
Due to all of these issues American workers had, they wanted change. They had to do something about these awful conditions they were forced to work in. What was there else to do, but to band together to fight the employers and factory owners for better condition? These workers formed what were called unions, or groups of representatives for these workers. They went on strike, picketed products and services, and did even more until employers finally gave in and increased wages and improved conditions.
Also, looms. They were a menace of the Industrial Revolution in America. You couldn't go 5 feet in any direction without bumping into one. Workers were sick of this. This is one of the main causes of the labor union formations. Here are some images of said looms:
- The Industrial Revolution
-Low (slave) wages
-Dangerous work
-Workers were expendable and easily replaceable
-Child labor
-Long work hours
-Poor living conditions for low and working classes
-Population increase
-Unsafe or unsanitary work places
Due to all of these issues American workers had, they wanted change. They had to do something about these awful conditions they were forced to work in. What was there else to do, but to band together to fight the employers and factory owners for better condition? These workers formed what were called unions, or groups of representatives for these workers. They went on strike, picketed products and services, and did even more until employers finally gave in and increased wages and improved conditions.
Also, looms. They were a menace of the Industrial Revolution in America. You couldn't go 5 feet in any direction without bumping into one. Workers were sick of this. This is one of the main causes of the labor union formations. Here are some images of said looms: