Depth study: Trade unions in the gilded age(Losses)1875-95

Question 1

Industrial militancy

Answer 1

demand for workers encouraged violent strike action

Question 2

Haymarket affair

Answer 2

the sheer violence of this strike damaged the reputation of unions and led to the death of 6 workers

Question 3

effect of economical slump

Answer 3

there was mass unemployment and reduction in wages near end of period

Question 4

the courts

Answer 4

courts would side with employers over employees to end strikes

Question 5

laissez faire

Answer 5

govt had a laissez faire approach and supported big buisness

Question 6

lack of protection

Answer 6

lack of protection and long hours with harsh conditions. 2000 railway workers died in accidents in 1889

Question 7

protective legislation

Answer 7

there weren’t enough laws in place to protect workers and the contract system meant you could be fired at any time

Question 8

technological advancement

Answer 8

mechanisation led to unemployment of skilled workers

Question 9

unskilled workforce

Answer 9

new workers were unskilled and were paid 30% of skilled workers led to increased inequality