Causes and effects pf the major strikes in USA between late 18th and Essay

Causes and effects pf the major strikes in USA between late 18th and early 19th century - Essay Example The essay will review major strikes that the United States history has seen and experienced. The review will be divided into three parts: first are major strikes from year 1875 to 1890 which includes Great Railroad strike 1877, Southwest railroad strike 1886, Haymarket riot 1886, and London matchgirls strike of 1888. Second are major strikes from year 1890-1900 which will include Right to unionize after a strike 1890, Homestead strike 1892, Couer d’Alene labor strike 1892, Bituminous Coal mine strike 1894, and Pullman strike 1894.Third are major strikes from the year 1900 to 1910 including Anthacite Coal Strike 1902 and New York shirtwaist strike of 1909. After providing an insight on the history of strikes, the essay will discuss the causes and effects of strikes as a whole. Great Railroad strike 1877: The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was considered as the first major rail strike of the country. It paralyzed for a short time the countrys commerce and forced the governors in ten states to gather together 60,000 militia members to revive rail traffic. This happened when the salaries of employees from railroads were cut as a result of the Financial Panic in 1973. The workweek was also slashed from three to two days only. Violence then broke out in several states because of the strike (Digital History). Southwest railroad strike 1886: The so-called Great Southwestern Strike of 1886 paralyzed the railway lines in five states in USA when the unskilled and semi-skilled railroaders refused to work for their employer. This was a reaction to the ways of the railway â€Å"king† Jay Gould as being ruthless monopolist and destructive speculator when he slashed labor costs, exploited the laborers and cut wages without notice and discriminated employees. Violence has taken place which caused death and injuries. The strikers did not succeed and were divested of their jobs. However, a biracial alliance among the