University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Struggles of Labor
Outline of the struggles, conflict and violence experienced by 19th Century industrial workers.
Digital History
Digital History: Postwar Labor Tensions
Read about the strength of labor unions just after World War I and see how the gains were eroded throughout the 1920s.
University of Houston
University of Houston: The Taft Hartley Act: Labor Management Relations Act
Find the complete text of the Taft-Hartley Act, also known as the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947, which severely restricted the activities of labor unions. Vetoed by President Truman, the veto was overcome, so it became a law.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: American Industrial Revolution
Aimed at middle school teachers and students, this resource contains lists of labor links. It includes a brief history of strikes, the Knights of Labor and the AFL.
University of Washington
Seattle General Strike: Minute Men
An article detailing the activities of the Minute Men of Seattle, a volunteer organization whose objective was to rout out any enemy of the United States during World War I.
New York University
San Reiss: An Eyewitness to Labor History 1948 1975
Considered the "Labor photographer," this online exhibit of Sam Reiss' work is a pictorial history of American labor from 1948-1975.
University of Maryland
University of Maryland: The Samuel Gompers Papers
Site from the University of Maryland provides primary source documents, a brief history of the labor movement, and biographical information about Samuel Gompers. A great resource for teachers and students.
University of Illinois
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign: Eslarp's Social History Project: 1877 Rr Strike
A discussion of the railroad strike of 1877 as it affected particularly Illinois. Read about how the strikes were put down violently and who was blamed for the work stoppages.
Library of Congress
Loc: American Treasures of the Library of Congress: Women's Trade Union Seal
Find the seal of the National Women's Trade Union League, a union formed by women to address issues not being supported by unions with mostly men as members.
Washington State University
Washington State University: Introduction to 19th Century Socialism
This article discusses the origin of 19th-century socialism. Discusses the Enlightenment, Industrial Revolution, social classes, Karl Marx and labor unions. An in-depth article.
US National Archives
Our Documents: National Labor Relations Act (1935)
Explore the original document that established the National Labor Relations Board written in 1935. Also known as the Wagner Act, its intention was to give employees the right to form unions and to engage in collective bargaining.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Expore Pa History: Railroad Strike of 1877 Historical Marker
Read about the Railroad Strike of 1877 that started in Pennsylvania and spread across the Midwest. Find out about the violence against the strikers and the use of the military to end the strike.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Expore Pa History: Making Steel
A good look at three of the titans of the steel industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Read about Andrew Carnegie and his business relationship with Henry Clay Frick, and the development of Bethlehen Steel by Charles Schwab....
University of California
History Project: The Pullman Strike of 1894
Given background information and primary source documents, students will write an essay describing the events of the Pullman Strike of 1894 organized around a theme.
University of California
History Project: The Homestead Strike of 1892
This high school instructional activity focuses on the Homestead Strike of 1892. Students are asked to write an essay explaining why the strike occurred and how the Carnegie Company went about winning the strike. Included are...
PBS
Pbs: History Detectives: The Early Labor Movement
Brief summary of the early labor movement and the role that labor unions played.
Other
United Mine Workers of America: Umwa History: The Ludlow Massacre
A brief history of the Ludlow Massacre in Colorado in 1914. Read about the thwarted attempts of coal miners to unionize.
Other
Ue News Feature: The Great Strike of 1877 Remembering a Worker Rebellion
Read about how the Railroad Strike of 1877 was a first in many ways in labor history. This article sets up the reasons for the strike and the mixed results.
Other
Irc History: The Ludlow Massacre
A good explanation of the Ludlow Massacre in the coalfields of Colorado and what led up to it. In addition, there is an interesting description of how this violent reaction to a strike by miners affected John D. Rockefeller, Jr., one of...
Chicago History Museum
Encyclopedia of Chicago: Knights of Labor
Encyclopedia of Chicago has an interesting article about the rise of the Knights of Labor. Read about union's acceptance of all workers, its successes, and its legacy.
Chicago History Museum
Encyclopedia of Chicago: Women's Trade Union League
Read about the Chicago branch of the Women's Trade Union League and its alliance between women workers and upper-class women who supported their cause.
Chicago History Museum
Encyclopedia of Chicago: Railroad Strike of 1877
This article from the Encyclopedia of Chicago explains how a strike by railroad workers in West Virginia eventually made its way to Chicago and was taken up by workers from many industries. See how city officials resolved this general...
Other
Mighty Fine Films: Where Do You Stand?
Through voices of mill workers, learn the struggle of the American worker to unionize. Includes a timeline and a study guide. The website is a companion piece to the film that must be purchased.
Other
Workers Online: Unions: Behind the Scenes
The story of the 2000 Olympics in Australia, and the relationship between the unions and the workers of the Olympic games. Successes and failures are both portrayed.