Cities and Workers in the Gilded Age

History M25 – Krister Swanson – Moorpark College

The Rise of the City

New Immigration from Asia & SE Europe fuels Urban Explosion
Ethnic & religious differences lead to xenophobia, racism and growing support for Immigration Restriction
New cities built around industries, divided into ethnic neighborhoods and along socio economic lines
New transportation leads to development of districts

America’s Diverse Workers

Highly skilled to unskilled, industries divided by ethnicity, jobs defined by gender & life
Children worked to support family economy, many in or close to poverty
Managerial revolution leads to white collar boom, separation of ownership and management
“Typewriters”(office clerical) and Salesclerks (growth of consumer culture)

Workers Organize

1877: Great Railroad Strike in response to pay cuts & hardships from Panic of 1873 - fear in upper classes
RRs shutdown, fed troops break strike
Knights of Labor: first large labor org, grows quickly in 1880’s, workers’ democracy, reform unionism, open to all
Knights want public ownership of RRs, income tax, end to child labor
American Federation of Labor (AFL): organizes skilled workers (greatest leverage) to focus on pay and specific workplace issues
Anarchists & socialists: reform not enough, need revolution
1886: Haymarket Riot reinforces fears
Skilled workers separate from the masses, Knights are done

City Growth and Government