Industrial and Commercial History

            In the United States, between 1875 and the end of the nineteenth century, there was an incredible industrial and commercial expansion. But while increased production did improve the American standard of living, industrialization concentrated great wealth and power in the hands of a few captains of industry, including Carnegie and Rockefeller. For the thousands of Americans who actually worked in the new factories, however, this economic revolution often meant long hours, low wages, and dangerous working conditions. Because of these conditions, labor unions were established. Throughout these years, some were moderately successful, while others just caused disturbances and chaos. Violence, wealth and the strength of money, the determination of the workers, and the improvements of the economy, as well as the factories, were all factors that contributed to the different levels of success achieved.
             First off, unions such as the National Labor Union, the American Federation of Labor, and the Knights of Labor were created during this time period. Although all of the unions had the common goal to protect workers, some followed drastic measures to ensure the safety, rights, and wages of the employees. While some strikes stayed civil, such as the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 and the Pullman Strike of 1894, other riots, strikes, and movements went out of hand. The Knights of Labor was one of the unions who proved their point through violence. The Homestead Strike of 1892 is an example of a dangerous and corrupt strike, since a number of citizens were killed. According to the Coroner's list from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, over a dozen people, including innocent bystanders, were killed during this strike (Doc G). However, some of the other unions, such as the American Federation of Labor, were very effective in securing rights safely, and are still in operation today.
             Next, this era had such a concentration of wealth, and yet the expanding population consisted of mostly middle-class "white-collar" and low-class "blue-collar" workers.