Describe at least one cause and effect of the Pullman Strike.
One cause of the Pullman Strike was the harsh working and living conditions of the Pullman Company employees. The Pullman Company, founded by George Pullman, manufactured luxury sleeping cars for railroads. The workers lived in the company town of Pullman, near Chicago, where they were required to live in company-owned houses and pay high rents. They were also subjected to strict rules and regulations, including curfews and a ban on political activities. The wages of the workers were gradually reduced while the rents remained high, leading to financial difficulties for the employees.
The effect of the harsh working and living conditions was the formation of the American Railway Union (ARU) by Eugene V. Debs. The ARU aimed to improve working conditions and wages for the workers. After several failed attempts at negotiation, the workers decided to hold a strike in May 1894. The strike began in the Pullman Company's town but quickly spread to other railroad workers across the country, leading to a nationwide disruption of rail transportation.
The Pullman Strike had significant consequences, including violence and government intervention. As the strike escalated, there were clashes between striking workers and law enforcement, resulting in riots and property damage. In response, the federal government, under President Grover Cleveland, deployed the military to quell the strike. This marked one of the first instances where the federal government used military force to suppress a labor strike.
Furthermore, the Pullman Strike led to the passage of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. This legislation aimed to reduce the power of monopolies and trust in the United States, as many saw the Pullman Company's control over its workers as a form of unfair monopoly power. The events of the Pullman Strike highlighted the need for labor reform and influenced future labor movements in the United States, ultimately leading to the establishment of better working conditions and regulations for workers.
Cause:
The Pullman Strike was primarily caused by poor working and living conditions faced by the employees of the Pullman Company. The Pullman Company, a pioneer in the industry of luxury railcars, built a model town named Pullman in Illinois for its workers. However, the company tightly controlled all aspects of the town and its residents' lives. The workers lived in company-owned houses, paid rent, and bought goods from company-owned stores, all while being highly dependent on the company. The wages of the workers were heavily slashed, but the rent and prices in the town remained the same. This led to immense dissatisfaction and resentment among the employees.
Effect:
The Pullman Strike had significant effects on both the labor movement and the government's response to labor unrest. The strike began on May 11, 1894, and quickly spread across the country, involving approximately 250,000 workers in 27 states. The American Railway Union (ARU), led by Eugene V. Debs, became deeply involved in supporting the strike. As a result, railroad traffic and commerce were severely disrupted, causing significant economic losses for various industries.
To suppress the strike, President Grover Cleveland took a radical step by deploying federal troops to end the labor unrest. This action marked one of the first instances of federal intervention in a labor dispute. The government's use of force against striking workers demonstrated the willingness of the authorities to protect the interests of private corporations over those of the workers. This deepened the division between the labor movement and the government, leaving a lasting impact on labor relations in the United States.
Furthermore, the Pullman Strike led to the establishment of Labor Day as a national holiday. In an attempt to appease the labor movement and gain political support, President Cleveland signed a bill into law on June 28, 1894, declaring Labor Day as a federal holiday to honor the contributions of workers. This was seen as a symbolic gesture to recognize the ongoing struggles of workers for better conditions and rights.
Overall, the Pullman Strike highlighted the exploitation of workers, the growing power of labor unions, the government's response to labor unrest, and the significance of collective bargaining and worker solidarity.