by Carolyn Teasley

Created on: July 22, 2008

The Rise of Labor Unions During the Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution spread to America as well as France, Germany, Belgium and most of Western Europe in the 19th Century from Great Britain. Because of the shift of manufacturing to the forefront replacing agriculture in economic importance, American cities grew in number and size. Between 1860 and 1900 the count of American cities with populations of 100,000 inhabitants or larger grew from 9 cities to 38 cities. This trend is characteristic of societies experiencing industrial growth.

Industrialization in America brought conflict and stress between businesses and the labor force as mechanized production begin to replace household manufacturing. In the 19th century, an effort to count the balance of power more evenly, the labor force began to form Labor Unions that would help them to bargain for better rights. The first of these were limited in being successful because of the imbalance of power. There were occasional strikes that showed the signs of conflict between employers and workers. Skilled craft workers were the only groups able to support a union during the Great Depression. The earliest labor organizations in the United States were started in New York City and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in the later end of the 18th century. These unions represented the crafts of printers and shoemakers. The American Federation of Labor union was the most successful mainly because they focused on improving the wages and working conditions of its members.

As the United States became adjusted to the changes brought on by the growth of cities from new industry starting up, the government began to enact antitrust laws and regulations to control the excesses of big business. One of the first antitrust laws was the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. It was created to prevent corporate trusts, monopoly enterprises formed to reduce competition and allow one business to control the price of a product or service. Laws such as the Fair Labor Standards Act which was enacted in 1938, mandated the maximum 8-hour workday and 40-hour work week. Economic growth was soaring along with increases in workers' income.

Governments in various countries were not in favor of the influence of labor unions in the beginning of the industrial revolution. They were thought to be illegal and cause manufacturing constraints. After the 1900 labor unions began to gain influence, governments began to work at preventing industrial conflict.

References:

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclope dia_761577952_5/Industrial_Revolution.html

http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia_761553112/Labor_ Union.html

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