How sucessful was the trade union movement in the post-Civil War era?

The Industrial Era (1876-1900) was one of the most important times in American History. It was somewhat the beginning of what our society is today with the development and advancement of big businesses and capitalism. The Industrial Era was a key to great things such as modernization, industry, and urbanization, yet was also brought the rise of poverty, congestion, pollution, corruption, and crime. Big business vs. workers was an extreme aspect of the Industrial Era. State and federal government played major roles in the development of big business. The Executive as well as Judicial branch of goverment played the largest role in promoting business intrests. Big business against workers led to the development of trade unions. As big business prospered, they became in more control of society especially being allied with the government. Adam Smith published The Weath of Nations as practically a bible for those who felt government should not be associated with business. Big business continued to prosper and began to hire more and more workers to increase their profit. This led to businesses to have to lower wages. This was the main issue in the Industrial Era. Those whom were unsatisfied with their "poverty wages" as business owners stuffed their pockets with profits, formed into what is known as Labor Unions. Though Labor Unions were a great cause and way to fight big business, they were only sucessful in organization rather than making any long-term changes as they planned, meaning they were, as a whole, unsucessful in their goals.

The first major national trade union was formed right after the end of the Civil War. It was the National Labor Union (NLU). It was the first trade union to organize workers without specific requirements based upon race, gender, or level of skill. It was also open to workers of both agarian and industrial economy. Some of its goals included higher wages and the eight-hour worday. It was a time period where a ten-hour workday was average. Many workers worked longer than this. NLU was sucessful in winning eight-hour workdays for FEDERAL employees. The wages did not change nor did work hours for those in agarian or industrial work.

The Knights of Labor union was organized in 1869. Led by Terence Powderly it was somewhat opposite of the NLU. Though the NLU was in favor of equality amongst races and genders, Powderly believed in "arbitration to the strike". The Knights of Labor's objectives tended to be radical yet their approach was more modest. Membership rates of the Knights of Labor rapidly increased to three-quarters of a million members before the dreaded Haymarket riot in 1886. The Haymarket riot was was organized to protest the treatment of workers at the McCormick Harvester factory. During the protest, due to the police methods of stopping the riot an "unknown assailant", tossed a bomb klling officers ordered to stop the protest. This led to American society to blame labor unions for the violence.

The American Federation of Labor(AFL) was the union whose goals were set as "realistic". The leader of AFL was Samuel Gompers. AFL was open to skilled workers. Gompers used his membership powere to win concessions from management. It was more sucessful than the other unions. Though it was the most sucessful it was not as great as it would eventually become in the twentieth century.

Last was the Industrial Workers of the World(IWW). This union was for those with revolutionary views. The IWW was primarily radical. They were willing to challenge owners for control of the businesses. The were not satisfied with just rasing wages. They believed ownership by the working class was the only solution to the labor system. They were led by "Big Bill" Haywood.

The main advantage business had over workers and labor unions was the alliance with the government. Usage of government is mostly prominent in the reactions to riots and protests. There is a similarity between them all. Some type of police or military force is always called upon when there was a protest or riot. Examples include the Railroad Strike of 1877, Haymarket Square Riot of 1886, The Homestead Strike of 1892, and The Pullman Strike of 1894. They all either call upon military forces or government intervenes to stop the protest. Even the Supreme Court handed down decisions controlling unions and undoing legeslation that could affect capital accumulation.

Other tacticts were taken by businesses to stop unions. Replacement workers or "scabs" would be hired to replace workers that were protesting. They would often wokr for less pay. Blacklists were created to make unon organizers and activists unable to recieve a job somewhere else. Their name would be taken and sent to other industries. Immigrants, women, and children were employed. Division was created by pay seperation usually based upon race. Unions would try to retaliate by sabotaging company property, slowing down the production process which led to less profits. There were also "sit down" strikes where workers would occupy the workplace and...sit.

In Conclusion, despite the tactics unions used to retaliate, membership in U.S. trade unions never exceeded more than three percent. Although federal government failed to address the nation's workers, government did recognize workers by creating a holiday. In 1894 U.S. Congress made Labor Day a national holiday. In the end, though labor unions were a great cause and way to fight big business, they were only sucessful in organization rather than making any long-term changes as they planned, meaning they were, as a whole, unsucessful in their goals.

REVISED:Analyze the differences and similarities of the three major Reconstruction plans:Lincoln's, Johnson's and the radical Republicans'.

Reconstrucion after the Civil War (1863-1877), played a critical role in the further development of America. It was mainly a stuggle for Blacks to achieve equality. It also was important in the reconstruction of the South after the Civil War. The Reconsrtuction era had its sucesses and it's failures. Reconstruction re-created the South and brought an extension of capitalism. It played a major role on determinig the nature of American nation-state. The government, especially Congress, stepped in and guided the nation in the right direction. The issue on what to do about Blacks, equality, and the ex-Confederacy paved the rode for Reconstruction plans. They favored each other and also conflicted. They even led to the impeachment of president Andrew Johnson. Three major Reconstruction plans were that of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, and the radical Republicans, which all had significant similarities and differences, yet the radical Rebublicans was clearly the most fair and reasonable towards freed Blacks and reconstruction of the South.

The issue of what to do with newly emancipated Blacks plagued American society. In March 1865, Congress passed the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands Act. It assisted freed slaves (and poor whites) who were destitute and in need of food and medical care. It provided farmland that had earlier been owned by slaveholders. Lincoln's plan for reconstructing the South could be considered "moderate". His plan was practically complete opposite of the radical Republicans. Lincoln wanted to quickly reincorporate the South back into the Union. His view was that the PEOPLE of the South did not secede; it was their economic and political leaders that led the South into secession and war. He believd that because government was "indivisible" secession was "politically impossible". His plan included these features: before a state could be readmitted into the Union, 10 percent of voters had to take a loyalty oath. The South had to accept the contract theory of government. Last, until the other requirements were met, military governers were sent to oversee conqured Southern states.

Radical Republicans originally thought that Andrew Jackson would be in favor of their Reconstruction plan, yet they were quite mistaken. Johnson practically adopted Lincoln's plan, then tweaked it to cover anything he found to be a fault. He believed in and therefore added into his plan the disenfranchisement of wealthy and politically powerful Confederate leaders. The issue was that Johnson frequently granted pardons to the same leaders he previously excluded from power. With this, the South's leaders became right back in charge. In 1872, the Amensty Act lifted political restriction on ex-Confederate leaders.

With the Confederacy leaders back in power, their first mission was to find another way to subordinate blacks. This eventually turned into the development of the Black Codes. They were designed to legally subordinate blacks. The Black Codes even denied blacks the right to own property. Furthermore, since blacks could no longer be enslaved, Confederacy leaders turned to making Blacks sign working contracts (as if they were indentured servants), paying little money and trying to make the blacks dependent on the owner. Blacks rights were abridged yet most did not have the courage to testify in court. Radical Republicans sought to change this.

Their Reconstruction plan in 1864, also known as the Wade-Davis Bill included: slavery was to be banned in the U.S. All high ranking Confederacy leaders were to be disenfranchised. Finally, 50 percent of a states citizens were to agree to a loyalty oath. Andrew Johnson ended up in a complete conflict with the radical Republicans because of the obvious differences within their plans. It eventually escalated and led to the Civil Rights Act of 1866. It stated Blacks were to be considered U.S. citizens and were given all rights stated in U.S. Constitution. The attempt to restrict Black rights was deemed illegal. Last, the federal government would enforce this act, not the states.

In Conclusion, I agree mostly with the radical Republican's plan. As an African-American in society today, it seems as if the radical Republicans plan should be implemented again. Lincoln's plan was obviously in favor of the Confederacy and did not show any remorse towards Blacks. Johnson's was completly unfair and unreasonable. It was only to lead the Confederacy back to the antebellum period once again. Yet in all, the three major Reconstruction plans were that of Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, and the radical Rpublicans, which all had significant similarities and differences.

So we didn't have a blog due this weekend but........

Dear Blog,

We didn't have a blog DUE this weekend. I'm taking some time to just write what's on my mind so....

December 7, 2007

This school year has been quite hectic. I'm so busy and caught up in so much work. I guess it's taking such a toll on me because I'm used to being able to procrastinate. My classes aren't hard they're....time consuming. I guess it takes so much time because I wasn't the best with time management. Now, I'm learning how to take control of my time. I'm practicing self-control. I'm reading my A.P. chapters now. It's actually not that hard. I just hate how I read and won't remember, come the day of the quiz or test. I guess it's nerves. History is quite fascinating. There are so many connections with our U.S. history and life now. I hate Health....it's so boring. I was a "preppie" so I took Health in 7th grade but since it's considered a mandatory class for all 7th graders and Freshmen anyways here I am taking it again. I don't understand why they take the time to teach us abstinence. Most kids aren't listening. Piano III is fine. I learned that there is an actual meaning in the composition Fur Elise by Beethoven. I love Photography. It's like a talent. I new i was a good poet and rapper but my photography is a gift. 4th period Lunch is..well....WILD...someone is always into something. A.P.U.S., I went over that already. Environmental with Nutakki is a hilarious class. My friends Steven and Matthew keep my laughing. English II is annoying because Ms.Neal talks so LOUD!!!!!!! Last is Geometry. By 8th period im half-way dead. I love Geometry though. It's so easy. It's like everything is connected to one another.

My extracurricular activities are the best. Im in Drama Starz(GO MS G!!!!) and Brotherhood. For the 3 years I've been at Kenwood there isn't much thats changed. I'm still trying to convince my mom to let me join a sport but she doesn't think I'll be able to balance it all. I guess this leaves me more time for my poetry and newly found talent, photography, I'm really good. I think I may pursue fashion photography. Also, heres my history part of this blog entry, I was selected to participate in MikVa Challenge and i get to campaign with a presidential canidate of my choice in New Hampshire for the primary election!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't know what made me want to write about this but I took the time out to do it so I'm not erasing it. LOL. (Laughing Out Loud) Just incase you aren't up on internet lingo. :-) LOL ok...so im done...i guess....

HOLLA'

Anthony Keith Johnson, II

Evaluating the success of grassroots movements in the Age of Reform..

American grassroots reform movements goal was to improve an insufficient society. Though our American society was to be based upon freedom and equality, some were still unhappy with the outcome of American society. America steadily developed as a nation. Society began to not agree with American policies and began to impose new ideas within the growing nation. Conflicting opinions between the people of America is what caused the Age of Reform. The Age of Reform was a period of time, after the Second Great Awakening, in which reason was put over faith, where people began to try and change American outlooks on lives and responsibilities of women,slavery, the public educational system,and prison life. The Grassroots movements in the Age of Reform were both successful and unsuccessful in achieving their goals of women’s rights, abolition,public education, and prison reform.

During the Age of Reform, women and black slaves were equal to each other but not equal to the still powerful superiority of men. Both white women and black slaves could not vote. Though a difference can be noted that white women could very much so, own land as black slaves could not. Yet, as women married, their property was signed over to their husbands. The Age of Reform was time for women to capitalize on the opprotunity to seek liberty. The women's rights movement emerged as discontent by women no longer willing to undertake subjugation. A decade before, the Industrial Revolution had introduced the “Cult of Domesticity”. Movements led by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, met at Seneca Falls, New York in 1848. This is where women would express in the "Decleration of Rights Sentiments" thier demands. It also included obtaining women's property rights. Women's rights movements activists, were also involved in the abolitionist movement. Even with the fight for women's rights, women still had to wait until 1919 to even vote in federal elections.

Slavery played an important role in the development of the United States. It has had it's good and bad effects on society. Slavery has played a role in pesidential elections and played an even larger role in territorial expansion, like how the Union was unsure of whether Texas was to become a slave state or free. Or its role in the Missouri Compromise. Slavery was a major element of the Civil War. Some abolitionists wished to destroy slavery in completion. These abolitionists were citizens such as Fredrick Douglas and Harriet Tubman. Also, many other white northerns like William Lloyd Garrison, owner of The Liberator, an influential newspaper in abolitionist circles and Lucretia Coffin Mott risked their lives doing what they thought was better for society. Abolitionists did not take into consideration the negative effects aboloshing slavery could have on the infrastructure of American economy.

Many children at the time were schooled by their mother or father by means of Republican Motherhood. The Industrial Revolution introduced inventions as the cotton gin, mechanical reaper, and the steamboat. Many children did not have the time or money to go to school. Horace Mann was one of the most outspoken advocates of education reform. He believed in a tax-supported public schoopl, like CPS today. Noah Webster was noted as “The Schoolmaster of the Republic”. As white girls and boys were provided education, black children were still suffering from slavery. The statement “education for all” clearly did not mean for everyone.

American citizens whom were mentally ill were locked in poor houses and jails. People such as debtors were locked up for threatening the American economy. During the early 1800’s,Dorothea Dix, whom was outraged by the treatment of the mentally ill, paved a road for better treatment for the ill minded. Idealism changed from keeping criminals and ill patients apart from society to teaching them their wrong-doings.

Grassroots movements in the Age of Reform were made possible by leaders such as William Lloyd Garrison, Lucretia Coffin Mott, Horace Mann,and Dorothea Dix, whom were looking for ways to better American society. All of the movements have both their positive and negative affects on society. In conclusion, this is why grassroots movements in the Age of Reform were both successful and unsuccessful in achieving their goals of women’s rights, abolition,public education, and prison reform.