Introduction
It is unquestionable that various arguments have been put forward focusing on the gradual radical evolution in America. Categorically stating, America has experienced a wave of change in relation to working conditions, wages and other underlying issues regarding workers in various industries1.
Many scholars, authors and other celebrated historians have emerged trying to document the various incidents (movements) in the American history. The degree of violence, property destruction and loss of lives involved in these movements has subsided significantly over the years.
This is due to the well-formed channels thus easing the process of airing grievances of every worker. This received tremendous support from various agencies including workers unions and other alliances.
The government also enacted rules and regulation to protect the rights of workers from oppression by employers and promote better negotiations thus reducing radical movements.
Government enactment of laws
In 1865, after the civil war, the government enacted various laws regarding black people. They referred or termed the formed laws as the Louisiana black code (1865)2. These laws aimed at oppressing the black community; they only targeted the blacks, which was a minority group. These laws restricted the blacks from freely renting houses.
The laws further forced blacks to work for whites, while on the other hand, disallowed them to do certain things such as congregating after sunset, preaching or carrying any firearm or weapon, if not being a military man. In significant lengths, this was a significant practice of slavery; black workers never received any freedom and worked under orders from their masters.
Completion of transnational railway
In 1869, the outstanding transnational railway was completed, marking a profound milestone in the transport history of America. It opened new frontiers in terms of free navigation and ease in conducting commercial activities. It is in this same year that the knight of labor was founded.
The group sensitized workers on industrial capitalism, fought restrictions on immigration and struggled for equality3. In 1871, the spinning jenny constituted the most significant driving forces behind the American thriving industries, and in 1873, the American economy declined significantly.
The Corliss steam engine and the rolling cigarette machine, in1876, were a marvel in its contribution of making work easier. People had a lot of pride in them and believed that machines and engines were true embodiment of human ability to create.
Various scholars such as Robert C. Bannister noted that, it is imperative to critically, examine the social aspects and integration individuals in the society4. The prolific scholar noted that human efforts or struggles for existence and individualism are due to their need for basic requirements i.e. shelter, clothing and food.
Therefore, in order to satisfy these needs, man had to offer labor services, despite the unfavorable working conditions.
Industrial revolution
The industrial revolution between the years 1890 to 1920 led to loss of lives in mines and factories. This was due to poor working conditions, faced by employees in their various capacities. The factories were purely profit-oriented and had extremely little interest or emphasis on the wellness of the workers.
The experienced unfair working condition prompted many employees to protest against their unbearable situation. In July 21 1877, the Great railroad workforce in Martinsburg decided to down their tools and strike. This was among the sprouting radical revolutions by workers fighting for their rights.
The strike or demonstration led to massive property damage, posing tremendous losses to businesses. Among the damaged included the Union depot, which was completely burnt to the ground.
Employee demonstrations and formation of unions
In the demonstration, workforces complained of unfair wages, in comparison to the work done; they argued that the wages they received were not competitive enough5. The demonstrators blamed employers and the government for their neglect of reforms that would have helped in solving the experienced high living cost.
They, therefore, felt oppressed since employers knew they had surplus labor and could easily replace any resigned worker or one who underperforms. The workers needed the government to offer remedy to their grievances.
The central point or area of contention was the battle between industrial capitalism and freedom. There was a lot of emphasis on out output and production at the expense of the workforces’ wellness or welfare. In 1886, the Haymarket riot erupted and was characterized by brutal police acts against demonstrators (workers) giving way to the establishment of (AFL) American Federation of Labor6.
In 1892, homestead steelworkers aired their grievances by protesting or demonstrating against the carriage steel company. In 1893 to 1897, the US faced severe economic disturbances (great recession) causing joblessness and a downfall of several businesses. Another strike by workers of Pullman palace Car Company, in 1894, also created chaos, ending up with serious property destructions.
This prompted knights to propose regulations for managing several manufacturing companies. However, in 1896, Holden V. Harcy emphasized on the laws regulating working hours in the mining industry.
In 1899, Taylor proposed the employment of scientific management as a suitable measure of enhancing efficiency in the manufacturing industries.
In 1901 to 1903, there was an establishment of the U.S steel corporation as well as the formation of Women’s Trade Union League (WTUL) to protect women against unfair trade. This was closely followed by the introduction of the (IWW) Industrial Workers of the world, in 19057.
Formation of laws
The period between 1900 to1919, termed as the progressive era, experienced tremendous revolutions. For instance, there was an establishment of homemakers alliance, which aimed at promoting quality foodstuffs by demanding meat testing.
This led to the enactment of the pure food and drugs act (1906). However, the key issues in progressivity were a strong government (16th amendment) (1913), clean government (17th amendment) (1913) and critical investigation. This prompted workers to air their grievances in an organized and appropriate manner.
They used formal workers unions, forums and alliances to air their concerns or grievances experienced at work. This minimized conflicts and reduced the chances of eruption of violence and destruction of property.
The oppression that existed in 1865 was excessive. The Louisiana black code (1865) clearly documents the oppression of the black people, which is among the reasons that prompted the radical movement to be very severe and destructive in nature8.
Workers faced a lot of challenges and struggles; they tried to look for justice, but their spirits were growing weary so they eventually formed unions. The projection of anger and frustration by the workers was due to the unsettled grievances.
Workers felt that the employers disregarded them; they felt like a cargo of a slave ship, and the captain could easily dispose those unable to stand their suffering.
Initiating reforms
Reforms regarding revolutions and movements were realized within the period of 1865 and 1919. The frequent uprisings by the workers compelled the government and employers to revise the terms and address pressing issues put forth by the workers9.
Workers were extremely enlightened and could easily respond to any form of oppression. Since a lot of development could not be realized without labor inputs, the government and employers had to ensure they maintain their workforces in order to realize their goals.
Others folks may have disagreed that US remained the same between the periods 1865 and 1919, since radical action by the workers was still a way of airing grievances.
For instance, the Haymarket riot erupted in 1886 was characterized by police brutality against protesting workers, yet there were reforms.
In other words, workers could show their dissatisfaction via demonstrations, yet many reforms had been made, including the formation of various trade unions and workers federations, organs that mitigated over strikes and acted as a channel solving the workers grievances.
Conclusion
In summary or conclusion, the US faced several unrest situations that negatively affected the economic progress of the nation. This was due to a number of unfair employment practices, which included complete a disregard of the wellness or welfare of employees.
This prompted workers and other economic and social stakeholder to form various organizations that would act as a link between workforces and employers, in order to restore sanity in industries.
This eventually reduced strikes, destruction of property and deaths, which, in turn, resulted to a booming economy. Moreover, these organizations worked as activists on behalf of the voiceless workers by sensitizing them on their rights. This was marked between the period of 1865 and 1919.
References
Bannister, R. (1989). Social Darwinism: Science and Myth in Anglo-American Social Thought. Philadelphia, PH: Temple university press.
Eakim, S. & Culbertson, M. (1998). Louisiana: The Land and Its People. New Hampshire, NH: Pelican Publishing.
Foner, E. (2010). Give Me Liberty! Volume 2: An American History. New York, NY: W W Norton & Co.
Mary B. et al. (2009). A people and a nation: a history of the United States. Since 1865, Volume 2. Ohio, OH: Cengage learning.
Moreno, P. (2006). Black Americans and organized labor: a new history. Los Angles, LA: LSU Press.
Footnotes
1 Moreno, P. (2006). Black Americans and organized labor: a new history. Los Angles, LA: LSU Press.
2 Eakim, S. & Culbertson, M. (1998). Louisiana: The Land and Its People. New Hampshire, NH: Pelican Publishing
3 Moreno, P. (2006). Black Americans and organized labor: a new history. Los Angles, LA: LSU Press.
4 Bannister, R. (1989). Social Darwinism: Science and Myth in Anglo-American Social Thought. Philadelphia, PH: Temple university press.
5 Mary B. et al. (2009). A people and a nation: a history of the United States. Since 1865, Volume 2. Ohio, OH: Cengage learning.
6 Foner, E. (2010). Give Me Liberty! Volume 2: An American History. New York, NY: W W Norton & Co.
7 Moreno, P. (2006). Black Americans and organized labor: a new history. Los Angles, LA: LSU Press.
8 Eakim, S. & Culbertson, M. (1998). Louisiana: The Land and Its People. New Hampshire, NH: Pelican Publishing
9 Foner, E. (2010). Give Me Liberty! Volume 2: An American History. New York, NY: W W Norton & Co.