Industrial Revolution DBQ

The Industrial Revolution at the turn of the twentieth century had been marked by millions of immigrants coming to America and getting jobs in factories. But these workers were given little pay and horrible working conditions. But they had taken a stand and began the age of labor movement. Workers across America made efforts to get things like better wages and working conditions, using methods from strikes to riots to achieve those goals. However, the wealthy and the U.S. government tried to put down these efforts and stop the workers’ progress. The triumph of the people had proved there was strength in numbers, and after the Industrial Revolution, the average workplace changed for the better. Most of the working class lived in poverty and had poor working conditions. They believed they were being pushed too hard and not compensated well while their employers enjoyed the fruits of their labor. William H. Sylvis, president of the iron molder’s union, had spoken about the issue, stating, “Why …show more content…
An immediate reaction to most strikes that caused civil unrest was to send the military to put down the troublemakers, as mentioned above in the Reading strike, although their presence would bring retaliation if it didn’t put down the strikers (Doc 2.) At this time in history, the courts in the United States sided with the companies and the wealthy. After a strike on the Pullman railroad company, the courts had sent out an order that had forbidden any activity “that would have the effect of inducing or persuading men to withdraw from the service of the [Pullman] company, or that in any manner… interfere with the [railroads’] operation...” effectively disabling the unions. As described by Eugene V. Debs, president of the American Railway Union, this action demoralized and broke up the union ranks, as they couldn’t perform their duties, and stopped the strikes in a way no army could (Doc