Skip to main content

What describes the American people's attitude towards early labor unions?

Most American people didn’t support the early labor unions in the United States. Business owners weren’t in favor of the formation of these unions. The creation of labor unions could potentially increase operating costs for businesses. Workers wanted higher pay and improved working conditions. These demands would add costs to the operation of a business.


The courts also weren’t friendly to the early labor unions. There were no laws the gave unions the legal protection...

Most American people didn’t support the early labor unions in the United States. Business owners weren’t in favor of the formation of these unions. The creation of labor unions could potentially increase operating costs for businesses. Workers wanted higher pay and improved working conditions. These demands would add costs to the operation of a business.


The courts also weren’t friendly to the early labor unions. There were no laws the gave unions the legal protection to exist. The business owners and judges often had close friendships. Because of these factors, most rulings in court cases went against labor unions.


Many people were turned off by the actions of the early labor unions. There were many strikes, and many of these strikes involved violent actions by the strikers. Additionally, there were many immigrants connected with the labor unions. Some of these immigrants identified themselves as anarchists. This turned public opinion against the labor unions. For example, the Haymarket Riot in Chicago was very damaging to the union movement.


The attitude of most people toward early labor unions was not favorable.

Popular posts from this blog

In chapter one of The Great Gatsby, what advice does Nick's father give him? How does this make him a good person to tell this story?

Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches... Nick says that his father advised him that, before "criticizing anyone," he "remember that all the people in this world haven't had the same advantages" as Nick.  As a result, Nick claims that he is "inclined to reserve all judgments," presenting himself to the reader as a fair and dispassionate arbiter of character, and thus, a reliable narrator.   The problem is that Nick immediately reveals himself as anything but reliable, as he then launches into a discussion of how pe...

How did the United States become an imperial power?

"Imperial power" is a bit of a vague label. It tends to mean several things at once, so let's unpack it. In the sense of "this country was built on conquest by force," the "imperial power" part of America actually predates the United States proper. The territories that would become the United States were imperial colonies, established by the great European empires of the 17th and 18th centuries. Much of the US Constitution and American governance generally goes back to England, history's largest and most successful imperial power, but vital aspects of American culture come from other imperial powers, such as France and Spain. Much of American culture comes from sources other than the old empires, but they were key influences on what the United States became. In the sense of "this country treats conquest by force as a fundamental component of its culture, economy and politics," the United States has always been an imperial power. Even earl...

How and why does James Gatz become Jay Gatsby? Describe the young Gatsby/Gatz.

James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune,... James Gatz, a poor Midwestern boy of probable Jewish lineage, becomes Jay Gatsby, a presumed WASP and wealthy socialite, when he moves to New York City and acquires his fortune. It is wealth that has allowed Gatz to transform himself into Gatsby. However, those who know his background (e.g., Daisy and Tom Buchanan) never allow him to forget that he is nouveau riche -- that is, an upstart who has just recently made his fortune, whereas they arose from well-to-do families. Gatz became Gatsby through determination and discipline. At the end of the novel, the narr...