About this Video

• Video Title: US Modern Ch 17
• Channel: Professor Kiser
• Speakers: Professor Kiser
• Duration: 01:39:00

Introduction

This video lecture covers Chapter 17 of a Modern US History course. The main focus is on Industrial America from 1877-1911, examining the industrial workplace, the American worker, labor unions, immigration, and the rise of consumer culture.

Key Takeaways

1. Rise of Corporations: The chapter details the growth of mega-corporations, driven by abundant raw materials in the West and the use of fossil fuels to power factories. Two main business models are discussed: vertical integration (controlling all aspects of production, from raw materials to sales) and horizontal integration (dominating a specific industry by controlling competitors). Gustavus Swift (meatpacking) and John D. Rockefeller (oil) are presented as examples.

2. Predatory Pricing: Large corporations utilized predatory pricing, temporarily lowering prices to eliminate competition and then raising them once they gained market dominance. This practice, now illegal, was common during this era due to a lack of government regulation.

3. Consumer Culture: The rise of department stores and mail-order catalogs fueled consumerism. Department stores offered a wide array of goods, driving smaller businesses out of business. Mail-order catalogs extended consumer access to rural areas. Advertising in newspapers and the burgeoning magazine industry played a crucial role.

4. The Industrial Workplace: The lecture describes the stark differences between the white-collar (managerial) and blue-collar (factory) workforce. The managerial revolution saw the rise of specialized management roles across various departments. The blue-collar workforce faced dangerous, low-paying conditions, often involving long hours and a lack of safety measures. Women, children, and minorities experienced significant exploitation. Scientific management, exemplified by Frederick Taylor, aimed to maximize production efficiency at the expense of worker well-being.

5. Immigration and Labor Unions: Massive immigration, particularly from Europe and Asia, fueled the industrial workforce. Immigrants often faced prejudice and discrimination. The lecture discusses the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which restricted Chinese immigration. The development of labor unions, such as the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor (AFL), is examined, highlighting their struggles, successes, and contrasting approaches to improving worker conditions and wages. The Haymarket Square riot is discussed as a turning point in the labor movement.

The provided transcript does not contain information directly related to Teddy Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, the War of 1898, or Nativist and Religious Culture Wars. Therefore, I cannot provide timestamps or summaries for those topics.

The transcript does touch upon aspects related to "Urban Machines," but indirectly and without specific names or details of political machines. The information is interwoven within the broader context of industrialization, immigration, and the rise of consumer culture in urban areas. There's no single section dedicated to "Urban Machines."

To illustrate this connection, here are some relevant excerpts with timestamps:

• [0:16:11]-[0:18:33]: This section discusses the rise of department stores as a central feature of urban consumer culture. The growth of department stores in cities is implicitly linked to the larger context of urban development and the changes it brought. The increased availability of consumer goods in urban environments and the subsequent impact on small businesses is discussed. This relates to urban life indirectly, as a consequence of broader economic trends.

• [0:50:01]-[1:00:28]: This section discusses immigration, a significant factor shaping the population and labor force of US cities during the period. The immense influx of immigrants into urban centers is mentioned, but there is no specific mention of political machines or their role.

• [1:25:04]-[1:25:23]: This section briefly mentions the lack of public trash collection in many cities during this period, highlighting poor sanitation as a feature of urban life. Again, this is a side note to a larger discussion on labor union demands, and not a focus on political corruption or urban machines.

Summary of Urban Machines Related Information (Indirect):

The video describes the economic and social changes in urban America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, The rapid industrialization and massive immigration led to the growth of large corporations and a burgeoning consumer culture centered in cities. The expansion of department stores and the transformation of urban environments are noted. However, the transcript does not directly address the inner workings, specific individuals, or corrupt practices typically associated with "urban machines" of this era. The impact of these economic and social shifts on urban life is presented, but not through the specific lens of political machines.

Here are direct citations from the transcript related to the labor movement, categorized for clarity:

The Emergence and Goals of Labor Unions:

• [1:14:37]-[1:15:07]: "we have the emergence of a labor movement...so he's worker unions what they really were were they sought to negotiate directly with the employers for the benefit of the workers...were businesses basically that worked for the workers on behalf of them negotiating with the employer to get them benefits"

• [1:15:15]-[1:15:47]: "this was seen to as an alternative to say waiting on politicians or voters...to change the laws...that was really really slow...these unions were a way to get this done immediately to get immediate benefit and worker employer disputes...to try and make life better for the workers in some way or another"

• [1:22:09]-[1:22:43]: "Knights of Labor...led by Powderly he wanted the factories actually run by the employees...employers weren't keen on this...if the employees around the factory the employees get to make better quality product...they're going to make less profit...they're going to not have to work as hard and the factory isn't going to make as much in most cases...includes skilled workers it includes domestic workers men women textile workers"

• [1:24:45]-[1:25:04]: "an 8-hour workday...already calls for an eight-hour workday and of course trash collection...many cities didn't have trash collection"

• [1:30:58]-[1:32:18]: "unions took money out of the pockets of big businesses and corporations and put it into the workers pockets...better working conditions safer equipment more safety controls better working hours...every single thing unions were advocating for reduced the profit margin of the corporations"

• [1:32:43]-[1:37:53]: Discussion of the AFL (American Federation of Labor) and its focus on profit sharing, contrasting it with the Knights of Labor's broader approach to workplace reform. Includes details on Samuel Gompers' leadership and the AFL's focus on skilled workers and immediate benefits rather than sweeping changes.

The Knights of Labor and the Haymarket Riot:

• [1:20:33]-[1:21:57]: Description of the Knights of Labor, its founding, goals (employee-run factories), membership, and initial successes.

• [1:26:02]-[1:29:55]: Detailed account of the Haymarket Square riot, its impact on the public image of labor unions, and the subsequent use of yellow-dog contracts by employers.

Specific Tactics and Challenges Faced by Unions:

• [1:16:08]-[1:17:17]: Discussion of employer backlash, including blacklisting workers who went on strike.

• [1:17:27]-[1:20:25]: Description of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, highlighting the violence and societal disruption it caused.

• [1:29:03]-[1:29:55]: Explanation of yellow-dog contracts and their effect on the labor movement.

These citations offer a comprehensive overview of the labor movement's emergence, goals, strategies, challenges, and prominent organizations as discussed in the provided transcript.

The late 19th and early 20th centuries witnessed the rise of a powerful labor movement in the United States, born from the harsh realities of industrialization. As highlighted in the transcript's discussion ([1:14:37]-[1:15:07]), worker unions emerged as crucial organizations, advocating directly with employers for improved working conditions and better wages. These unions acted as intermediaries, negotiating on behalf of workers who previously had little power individually to effect change. This direct approach contrasted sharply with the slower, less certain process of relying solely on political action to achieve reform. The unions aimed for immediate, tangible benefits, addressing specific issues like pay disputes, unsafe working conditions, and inadequate workplace resources.

One of the most significant early unions was the Knights of Labor ([1:20:33]-[1:21:57]), which initially enjoyed considerable success. Its broad membership, encompassing both skilled and unskilled workers, represented a powerful force pushing for worker empowerment. The Knights' radical vision, including the ambitious goal of employee-run factories, directly challenged the established power structure of corporate ownership. However, this bold vision, coupled with the inherent risks of challenging powerful employers and navigating the turbulent socio-political climate, proved difficult to sustain. The dramatic collapse of the Knights of Labor, partly due to the Haymarket Square bombing, significantly impacted the labor movement's image and its trajectory.

The Haymarket Square incident demonstrated the inherent tensions and risks associated with the labor movement. The bombing and subsequent public reaction ([1:26:02]-[1:29:55]) damaged the reputation of unions, leading many workers to shy away from involvement for fear of being blacklisted or facing violence. The use of yellow-dog contracts by employers further hampered unionization efforts. Despite setbacks and challenges, the labor movement persisted, evolving its strategies and continuing its fight for workers' rights in the face of employer opposition and societal prejudice. The desire for improved wages, safer working conditions, and a greater share in the profits of industry remained a constant driving force.