By Cliff Montgomery – Mar. 16th, 2011
“What does labor want? We want more schoolhouses and less jails, more books and less arsenals, more learning and less vice, more leisure and less greed, more justice and less revenge–in fact, more of the opportunities to cultivate our better natures.”
– Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor (AFL)
“Every advance in this half-century: Social Security, civil rights, Medicare, aid to education…one after another– came with the support and leadership of American Labor.”
– Jimmy Carter
“Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if Labor had not first existed. Labor is superior to capital, and deserves much the higher consideration.”
– Abraham Lincoln
“Let the workers organize. Let the toilers assemble. Let their crystallized voice proclaim their injustices and demand their privileges. Let all thoughtful citizens sustain them, for the future of Labor is the future of America.”
– John L. Lewis, former president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMW) from 1920-1960, and a founder of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)
America “has the bloodiest history of labor of any industrialized nation on Earth,” declares The Illinois Labor History Society on its informative website.
Regardless, it is an essential part of the American narrative. Yes, it’s a story steeped in struggle and heart-rendering drama–but it’s also one which reveals a clear advancement of human freedom.
The American Spark continues to cover the re-awakening of U.S. Organized Labor–a matter brought on by the recent union-busting tactics of a Wisconsin governor who is owned and operated by the billionaire Koch Brothers.
But we at the Spark have come to realize that many may not know the essential role labor unions have played–and continue to play–in the creation both of American democracy and of the country’s middle class.
The information seen below comes straight from The Illinois Labor History Society website. Please check out their excellent documentation and resources.
The Illinois Labor History Society is “a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and promote awareness of labor history” both in Illinois and across America, according to its website.
The Colonial Period to 1763
Overview
The Europeans began arriving after 1492 upon the shores of the Americas. They found a land rich in resources and native culture.
As news reached Europe it sparked a wave of explorations and ultimately colonization. Many, if not most, of the early colonists America arrived under some version of bound labor, either as a slave or an indentured servant. This was the way many free persons could pay for their passage.
Upon arrival they would be sold out to an artisan, gentleman or farmer according to his or her abilities. They would then work for 5-7 years which would repay their passage costs.
Slaves obviously had little chance to earn their freedom, though some did.
Labor Related Issues of the Period
* Lack of economic opportunity in Old World.
* Remnants of feudal system in parts of Europe.
* Rise of non-landed wealth in Europe.
* Growth of artisans’ guilds in Europe.
* Growth of cities in Europe.
* Economic opportunity of New World.
* Building of a stable society in New World by common laborers
* Development of independent crafts-worker in northern colonies.
* Development of slave system in southern colonies.
* Growth of political organization and action in latter years of period.
* Beginnings of representative government gives common man a voice
* Influence of geography on the American economy.
* Lack of an effective voice by laborers.
Selected Labor Related Events of the Period
1440s – Opening of the African slave trade.
1619 – Slavery introduced into Virginia. Virginia House of Burgesses formed, beginning of representative government in North America.
1620 – Mayflower Compact signed creating “just and equal laws.”
1620s – Beginning of New England town meetings.
1648 – Boston shoemakers and coopers form guilds [a precursor to modern labor unions].
1676 – Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia, farmers revolt against corrupt government.
1683 – New York Chapter of Liberties gives freeholders the right to vote.
1712 – Carolina Slave Code created which regulates slave life.
1724 – Carpenter’s Company of Philadelphia chartered to assist carpenter’s instruction and well-being.
1739 – Stono Rebellion of slaves in South Carolina.
1765 – The first society of working women is organized as an auxiliary of the Sons of Liberty, called the Daughters of Liberty.
1766 – Green Mountain uprising of farmers against landowners over the inequality of political power.
The Revolutionary Era: 1763-1789
Overview
In the colonies’ struggle for independence, workers and their interests played an important role in the success of the revolutionary movement.
One example most people are aware of is the Boston Massacre. This event had roots in the unhappiness of Boston rope-makers over competition from off-duty British soldiers who sought casual work to supplement their wages.
What began as a verbal confrontation between one rope-maker and a soldier moved to a confrontation between workers and sentries and then ended as a battle cry for the revolution.
Further evidence of the importance of common people in the movement is the success of Thomas Paine’s 1776 pamphlet, Common Sense, which was written for the masses and not the upper class. The tremendous sales (over 150,000 and three printings) indicate the level of interest the average person had in the emerging ideology of independence.
During this period people continued to work, and there were instances of workers uniting to better their condition. The involvement of the worker and the common person truly made this more than a rebellion into a revolution.
Labor Related Issues of the Period
* Support of Adam Smith’s free trade ideology grew. Workers used this to fight wartime monopolies and price controls.
* Most soldiers were commoners, e.g. farmers, slaves, apprentices, laborers, fishermen, artisans and women
* Growth of political organization and action.
* Ideally the [American] Revolution creates a government and society based on equality of free men–in reality, the Revolution maintains an elitist system that favors the educated upper class.
* Slavery deliberately not addressed by the Declaration of Independence.
* Slavery continued as an institution.
Labor Related Events of the Period
1770 – Boston Massacre precipatated by conflict between rope-workers and British soldier.
1773 – Carpenters dressed as Mohawk Indians help lead the Boston Tea Party.
1775 – United Company of Philadelphia for Promoting American Manufacturing employs 400 women under one roof. Points toward future industrialization.
1776 – Common Sense published throughout colonies. Colonial delegates sign Declaration of Independence in Carpenter’s Hall built by Carpenter’s Company of Philadelphia. The Wealth of Nations published which promotes laissez-faire economics [and a theoretical] individualism, yet opposes monopolies and mercantilism.
1777 – British defeated at Saratoga, saves New England from British.
1778 – New York City journeyman printers unite and gain increase in wages. They then disband.
1781 – Defeat at Yorktown by Washington’s army proves to British they cannot win.
1783 – Treaty of Paris signed. England recognizes American independence.
1785 – New York City shoemakers strike for three weeks.
1786 – Printers in Philadelphia walk out to protest a wage reduction. Result: Gained a $6 a week minimum wage.
1787 – Constitution counts five slaves as three people for Congressional representation.
The Growth of a New Nation: 1789-1830
Overview
Jefferson had warned of the evils of an industrialized society where wealth separated men. He and his supporters hoped America would remain a rural agricultural society where equality and a man’s dignity could be maintained by tying men to the land. An industrial class system would erode democracy and equality.
The Jeffersonians lost this struggle to retain their vision of America in the face of industrialization. Yet there were some who sought to blend these competing interests.
A fine example of this is the experiment at Lowell. The founders of the Lowell experiment sought to preserve America’s agricultural base by employing rural women who would supplement the income on the farm.
[But] the experiment failed, and soon Jefferson’s vision would be relegated to the history books.
Labor Related Issues of the Period
* The debate and struggle between agrarian democrats and industrial interests.
* Pattern of economic hard times (depression and recession) followed by periods of prosperity began to emerge. Labor was weak in each period of hard times.
* Sweatshops begin to form in eastern cities.
* Growth of northern textile industry.
* Cordwainer Conspiracy Cases weaken the union movement by ruling that organizations of workers were conspiracies.
Labor Related Events of the Period
1790 – Population of the young nation is counted at 3,929,214 in the first national census. Cabinet and chairmakers in Philadelphia fight an attempt by employers to blacklist union members. First textile mill is established in Pawtucket, Rhode Island by Samuel Slater for Ezekiel Carpenter. All the workers are under age 12–seven boys and two girls.
1791 – Philadelphia carpenters struck unsuccessfully for a 10 hour day and overtime pay. First building trades strike. Alexander Hamilton praises women workers in his Report on Manufactures of December 5.
1792 – Philadelphia shoemakers form the first local craft union for collective bargaining. Disband within a year.
1793 – Cotton gin invented, which makes cotton production easier and helps perpetuate slavery.
1794 – The Typographic Society organized in New York by printers. Lasted over 10 years. The Federal Society of Journeymen Cordwainers formed in Philadelphia by shoemakers. Tried for Conspiracy in 1806.
1797 – Philadelphia carpenters go on strike. 1800 – Gabriel Prosser organized an unsuccessful slave revolt near Richmond, Virginia.
1805 – A Journeymen Cordwainers union in New York City included a closed shop clause in its constitution.
1806 – Members of Philadelphia Journeymen Cordwainers tried for conspiracy after a strike for higher wages. Charged with combining to raise wages and to injure others. Forced to disband after being fined and going bankrupt. First union to be tried for conspiracy.
1808 – Federal law prohibits the importation of slaves into the United States. Smuggling continued to bring in a small number of slaves until just before the Civil War.
1810 – First American cigar factory opens in Suffield, Connecticut. All the workers are women. 90% of Americans do not live in cities. 66% of the clothing worn by non-urban Americans made from home manufacture, according to US Treasury secretary.
1814 – Power loom invented, which makes weaving a factory occupation.
1817 – New York state legislature passes a law that frees slaves born before 4 July 1799.
1819 – Panic causes a six-year depression. Manufacturers secure a tariff to protect them from foreign competition.
1820 – Industrial organization experiment begun in Lowell, Mass. Missouri Compromise admits Missouri as a slave state but bans slavery in the northern Louisiana Territory.
1823 – Hatters in New York City were tried and convicted of conspiracy.
1824 – First reported strike of women workers when they join male weavers protesting wage reduction and extension of the workday in Pawtucket, Rhode Island.
1825 – Robert Owen founds utopian community in Illinois and Indiana. Fails in three years. The United Tailoresses of New York, women only trade organization, formed. To demand a wage increase, they struck in the first all-woman strike.
1827 – The Mechanics Union of Trade Associations, made up of skilled workers in different trades, formed in Philadelphia. The first city-wide labor council. Tailors in Philadelphia tried for conspiracy, verdict stressed the “injury to trade” aspect of their organization.
1828 – Workingmen’s Party formed in Philadelphia. The first all-women factory strike in Dover, NH. Philadelphia Mechanics Union of Trade Associations unsuccessfully strikes for a ten-hour day.
1829 – The Workingmen’s Party of New York formed.
