Labor Unions and Reform Movements

Questions and Answers

What is the best explanation of why factory owners and management wanted to prevent unions from forming?

Organized workers might demand changes that would decrease profits. (correct)

They felt it was in the best interest of the workers to wait for gradual change.

They feared workers would violently revolt.

Organized workers might demand changes that would increase profits.

What was the effect of labor reform movements in the early 1800s?

Child labor was banned, but long workdays continued for older workers.

Reformers gradually won better working conditions, but change was slow. (correct)

Unions immediately won better working conditions.

Meaningful legislation addressing labor reform was not passed until the 1940s.

What is suffrage?

Right to vote

What is collective bargaining?

Negotiation between workers and employees Signup and view all the answers

What was going on in Europe that most likely influenced the reform movements of the 1800s?

Revolutions were spreading across Europe. Signup and view all the answers

What were the two main reasons workers formed unions?

As a form of social protest and to protect themselves from poor working conditions Signup and view all the answers

Who was instrumental in leading the movement for child labor reform?

Lewis Hine Signup and view all the answers

What did factory owners do to prevent unions from forming?

They used force to end union activities. Signup and view all the answers

What would be labor's first step in solving labor problems and effecting change?

Collective bargaining Signup and view all the answers

As the 1800s progressed, demands for labor reform increased mainly because

Working conditions were horrible. Signup and view all the answers

During industrialization, what were the attitudes toward slavery?

Calls for the abolition of slavery increased. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for negotiation between union leaders and business management?

Collective bargaining Signup and view all the answers

When did Britain abolish slavery?

In 1833, before the United States did. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Labor Unions and Their Challenges

Factory owners opposed unions fearing organized workers would demand changes decreasing profits.
Union formation was prevented through the use of force by factory owners to end union activities.

Labor Reform Movements

Labor reform movements in the early 1800s resulted in gradual improvements in working conditions, but progress was slow.
Meaningful labor legislation did not emerge until the 1940s.
Significant reasons for workers forming unions include social protest and protection against poor working conditions.

Child Labor and Reform Leaders

Lewis Hine was a key figure in leading the child labor reform movement.
Early reformers aimed to address child labor issues, gradually gaining traction in their efforts.

Revolutions spreading across Europe influenced reform movements in the United States, highlighting the need for social change.
Increasing demands for labor reform in the late 1800s were driven by horrific working conditions workers faced.

Collective Bargaining

Collective bargaining refers to the negotiation process between union leaders and business management to address labor issues.
Joining a union is often the first step for workers to engage in collective bargaining.

Attitudes Towards Slavery

The industrialization era saw an increase in calls for the abolition of slavery in response to the conditions faced by workers, despite some factories employing enslaved individuals.
Britain abolished slavery in 1833, ahead of the United States which did so in 1865.

Child Labor Regulations

While efforts led to some reforms, long workdays for older workers persisted even after child labor was addressed.

Description

This quiz explores the history of labor unions, child labor reform, and the social and political influences that shaped labor movements in the United States. It examines the challenges faced by unions and the gradual improvements in working conditions from the 1800s through the mid-20th century. Test your knowledge on key figures and significant events in labor history.

Labor Unions and Reform Movements

Questions and Answers

What is the best explanation of why factory owners and management wanted to prevent unions from forming?