what was the significance of the great railroad strike of 1877 apush

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877

was an uprising launched in response to pay cuts enacted by the country's largest railroads following the financial Panic of 1873. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back was a 10% wage reduction, which had followed several others over the previous four years.

Full Answer

What was the effect of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

What was the effect of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877? Railroad workers walked off the job in other states and seriously disrupted commerce in the East and Midwest. The strikes were ended within a few weeks, but not before major incidents of vandalism and violence.

What was the Baltimore&Ohio Railroad Strike of 1877?

The Baltimore & Ohio (B&O) was particularly egregious by slicing pay up to 50%. Although events along the B&O initiated the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, in essence it began slowly, taking on a life of its own over time.

Why did the Pullman railroad workers go on strike?

The Pullman railroad workers go on strike because their wages got cut twice in one year. The price for town housing/general store stayed the same. He lead the Pullman Strike. The Supreme Court denied his wish to get out of jail, thus helping the 'big business'.

How did the American government respond to the Great American strike?

In the decades following the strikes, the federal government took a much more hands-on approach in protecting the general laborer. Not only did this lead to a rise in unions but also clamped down on corporations' brutal treatment of workers.

Why was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 significant?

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was the country's first major rail strike and witnessed the first general strike in the nation's history. The strikes and the violence it spawned briefly paralyzed the country's commerce and led governors in ten states to mobilize 60,000 militia members to reopen rail traffic.

What was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 and why was it important for the labor movement?

On July 16, 1877, workers at the B&O station at Martinsburg, West Virginia, responded to the announcement of 10 percent wage cuts by uncoupling the locomotives in the station, confining them in the roundhouse, and declaring that no trains would leave Martinsburg unless the cut was rescinded. West Virginia Gov.

What was the significance of the great railroad strike quizlet?

The Great Strike marked the first time the federal government called out troops to quell a labor dispute. What was the end result of the great railroad strike of 1877?

What were the results of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

By the end of August 1877, the strike had ended primarily due to federal government intervention, the use of state militias, and the employment of strikebreakers by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. The Great Railroad Strike was typical of most strikes during this era.

What impact did the Great Railroad Strike have on the labor movement?

The Great Railroad Strike helped the average public worker realize they did have power against large corporations and that they were able to fight for what was right. The rise of labor unions after the Great Railroad Strike made the following changes to the conditions of workers: The eight hour work day.

How did the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 demonstrates the power of workers?

How did the Great Railroad strike of 1877 demonstrate the power of workers? The strike showed that workers could slow or even stop the economy. Banning unions in the work place.

What is significant about the railroad strike of 1877 quizlet?

What was the significance of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877? The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was the first major strike in an industry that propelled America's industrial revolution. It was the first national strike.

What was the railroad strike of 1877 Apush?

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 began on July 17, 1877, in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Workers for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad went on strike, because the company had reduced workers' wages twice over the previous year.

Was the great railroad strike successful?

In 1886 nearly 700,000 workers went on strike. Business leaders strengthened their opposition to the unions, often firing men who tried to organize or join them. Nonetheless, the labor movement continued to grow. One result of the strike was increased public awareness of the grievances of railroad workers.

What were long term effects of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

The strengthening of the police, state militia, and the United States Army to prepare for future conflicts became one of the most enduring legacies of the Great Strike. Within two weeks of the strike, Chicago authorities developed a plan to augment their police force and the Illinois militia.

What was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

Great Railroad Strike of 1877, series of violent rail strikes across the United States in 1877. That year the country was in the fourth year of a prolonged economic depression after the panic of 1873. The strikes were precipitated by wage cuts announced by the Baltimore and Ohio (B&O) Railroad —its second cut in eight months.

What happened to the railroads in 1877?

On July 16, 1877, workers at the B&O station at Martinsburg, West Virginia, responded to the announcement of 10 percent wage cuts by uncoupling the locomotives in the station, confining them in the roundhouse, and declaring that no trains would leave Martinsburg unless the cut was rescinded. West Virginia Gov. Henry M. Mathews dispatched the militia when police were unable to break up the supportive crowd that had gathered. When the militia then proved incapable of freeing the 600 or so trains stranded in Martinsburg (perhaps because many of the militiamen were themselves railroad workers sympathetic to the strike), Mathews requested and received assistance from federal troops. After their arrival, trains were able to begin leaving Martinsburg on July 20.

How many people were in jail during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

There had been no leaders with greater political vision to take command of the strikers. More than 100,000 workers participated in the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, at the height of which more than half the freight on the country’s tracks had come to a halt. By the time the strikes were over, about 1,000 people had gone to jail ...

Why did the strikers collapse?

The strikes also collapsed because, despite the fears of the industrialists and the government, they were not organized uprisings but rather spontaneous outbursts. Once the anger of the strikers and crowds had run its course, so too did the revolt. There had been no leaders with greater political vision to take command of the strikers. ...

Why did the strikers dissipate?

The strikes dissipated, first and foremost, because the federal army did not break. Unlike the militias, those professional soldiers stayed together and followed orders. The strikes also collapsed because, despite the fears of the industrialists and the government, they were not organized uprisings but rather spontaneous outbursts. Once the anger of the strikers and crowds had run its course, so too did the revolt. There had been no leaders with greater political vision to take command of the strikers.

Where did the B&O strike begin?

Meanwhile, the strike had begun spreading along the mainline of the B&O all the way to Chicago, and on July 19 it grew to include Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Railroad. On July 19 flagman Gus Harris unilaterally refused to work on a “double-header” (a train hauled by two engines, thus requiring fewer workers), and the rest of the crew joined him. The resulting strike quickly grew and was joined by men from the nearby iron mills and factories. Elsewhere, on July 20 militiamen were sent to Cumberland, Maryland, where strikers had halted trains. At least 10 people in a crowd were killed by militiamen that were en route to Camden Depot, prompting the assignment of federal troops to Baltimore, Maryland.

How long was the Civil War?

American Civil War. American Civil War, four-year war (1861–65) between the United States and 11 Southern states that seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America.…. History at your fingertips. Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox!

What was the cause of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 started on July 14 in Martinsburg, West Virginia, in response to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad (B&O) cutting wages of workers for the third time in a year. Striking workers would not allow any of the trains, mainly freight trains, to roll until this third wage cut was revoked.

Why did the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad strike?

Workers for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad went on strike, because the company had reduced workers' wages twice over the previous year.

Why did the Baltimore strike end?

By the end of August 1877, the strike had ended primarily due to federal government intervention, the use of state militias, and the employment of strikebreakers by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company.

What was the cause of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

Workers fought against low wages and poor conditions during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, a series of protests that resulted in violence and millions of dollars in damages. Mounting tensions erupted in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on July 14, 1877, when Baltimore & Ohio Railroad workers began a labor strike.

What was the main reason the United States government intervened in the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

What was the main reason the United States government intervened in the Great Railroad Strike of 1877? The government took action to end the strike in response to public demands in support of the railroad companies. The government sided with the labor unions and sent troops to protect railroad workers.

Why did Grover Cleveland send troops to stop the Pullman Strike?

Grover Cleveland sent in troops to stop the Pullman Strike because it had become a violent, national nightmare with railroad workers refusing to service any trains with Pullman cars. Using the pretext of making sure the mail would get through, the federal troops effectively ended the Pullman Strike.

Why did the Pullman strike?

The Pullman railroad workers go on strike because their wages got cut twice in one year. The price for town housing/general store stayed the same. He lead the Pullman Strike. The Supreme Court denied his wish to get out of jail, thus helping the 'big business'.

What was the first strike in the United States?

In July 1877 West Virginia was the scene of a railroad strike that soon became the first nationwide strike in United States history. The trouble began when an economic depression led railroad companies to cut wages. Who hired the Pinkertons to break up a strike.

Why did the Great Railroad Strike end?

By the end of August 1877, the strike had ended primarily due to federal government intervention, the use of state militias, and the employment of strikebreakers by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company. The Great Railroad Strike was typical of most strikes during this era.

How many people were killed in the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

By the time the strikes were over, about 1,000 people had gone to jail and some 100 had been killed.

What was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was an uprising launched in response to pay cuts enacted by the country's largest railroads following the financial Panic of 1873. The proverbial straw that broke the camel's back was a 10% wage reduction, which had followed several others over the previous four years. Unfortunately, in a time when blue collar ...

How many trade unions were there in the United States during the Great Strikes of 1877?

According to the book, " The Great Strikes Of 1877 " by David O. Stowell, there were around 30 national and international trade unions operating within the United States just prior to the panic. At the time, the country was enjoying a great economic boom in the peacetime following the Civil War.

What happened to the PRR after Ammon's departure?

With Ammon's departure, strikes along the PRR rapidly disintegrated despite continued public support. The workers may not have been completely aware of what they had started as the strike had now fully engaged the nation.

Why did railroaders strike in Pennsylvania?

Throughout Pennsylvania, both railroaders and general laborers struck in an act of unity for better pay and working conditions.

How many miles did the railroads lay down?

This included the railroad industry which was rapidly expanding in the decade after the conflict by laying down more than 40,000 miles between 1870 and 1880 according to John Stover's book, " The Routledge Historical Atlas Of The American Railroads .".

What were the trade unions in the railroad industry in the 1870s?

During the 1870's there were only four significant trade unions within the railroad industry; the Machinists' and Blacksmiths' International Union (MBIU), Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen (BLF), Brotherhood of Railway Conductors (BRC), and Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers (BLE).

Why was the Pennsylvania Railroad despised?

The Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR) of 1877, like the Baltimore & Ohio, was generally despised due to its poor working conditions and even poorer pay.

What was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 consisted of violent strikes of the railroad workers against the railroad companies. The first strike took place with the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O Railroad) in Martinsburg, West Virginia, on July 16, 1877. After the B&O Railroad announced their second ten percent wage cuts in eight months, the workers decided to strike. After the B&O Railroad strike, strikes spread fast through the railroad industry. Over 100,000 railroad workers participated in the Great Railroad Strike of 1877.

How did the Great Railroad Strike affect the labor unions?

The Great Railroad Strike helped the average public worker realize they did have power against large corporations and that they were able to fight for what was right. The rise of labor unions after the Great Railroad Strike made the following changes to the conditions of workers:

What was the purpose of unionization in the 1870s?

Unionization is when multiple labor unions were formed to give the workplace common workforce rights and justification. Labor unions focused on the worker's best interests and not the companies; therefore, most companies fought hard to keep unions from forming in their businesses. When agreements could not be met when a workers issue arose, unions helped organize strikes against the company. Railroad workers unions felt that workers dealt with unsafe working conditions and too low pay wages during the 1870s. Railway companies in 1877 tried to save themselves money by wage cuts and decreasing workdays available. This became a hostile time in America for Railroad workers.

Why did the railroad strike happen?

Several reasons led to the Great Railroad Strike of 1877. Things such as low wages, dangerous working conditions, and income discrimination all led to the hostility of railway workers and their company strike.

What happened to Gus Harris?

On July 19th, railway worker Gus Harris, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, refused to work on a double engine train that was causing the loss of jobs of several of his friends and colleagues. He was joined in protest by the rest of his railway colleagues and local iron mill and factory workers. Local police could not control the crowd, so the National Guard was called in and charged the crowd, and a riot ensued. The riot resulted in twenty deaths. The guardsmen then retreated, and the rioters began to burn and destroy Pennsylvania railroad cars, engines, and buildings.

What caused the economic panic of 1873?

The Economic Panic of 1873 and the many years of depression afterward began with the European stock market crash. Many wealthy Europeans had purchased stock and bonds in the newly forming Railroad industry. The Railroad companies would borrow money from organizations, many in Europe, by selling bonds. Bonds are debt securities stating how much was borrowed and how much interest would be paid back. Europeans began selling their Railroad bonds, and soon the Railroad companies had no one to borrow money from. This caused many Railroad companies to go bankrupt.

Why was the labor movement important?

The labor movement in the United States was formed around the need to protect people's interests in the workforce. The labor movement organized unions, fought for fair wages, reasonable working conditions and requirements such as work time. The labor movement also worked to end child labor, provide health benefits to the workers, and provide aid to people who were unable to work due to injury or retirement.

Why did the railroad strike in 1877?

Workers for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad went on strike, because the company had reduced workers' wages twice over the previous year. The strikers refused to let the trains run until the most recent pay cut was returned to ...

What was the Haymarket Square riot?

Haymarket Square riot, outbreak of violence in Chicago on May 4, 1886. Demands for an eight-hour working day became increasingly widespread among American laborers in the 1880s. A demonstration, largely staged by a small group of anarchists, caused a crowd of some 1,500 people to gather at Haymarket Square. When policemen attempted to disperse the meeting, a bomb exploded and the police opened fire on the crowd. Seven policemen and four other persons were killed, and more than 100 persons were wounded. Public indignation rose rapidly, and punishment was demanded. Eight anarchist leaders were tried, but no evidence was produced that they had made or thrown the bomb. They were, however, convicted of inciting violence, although no evidence was presented that they knew the bomber, who was never discovered. Four were hanged, one committed suicide, and the remaining three—after having served in prison for seven years—were pardoned (1893) by John P. Altgeld, governor of Illinois, on the ground that the trial had been patently unjust. The incident was frequently used by the adversaries of organized labor to discredit the waning Knights of Labor movement.

How did Grant try to corner the market?

Tried cornering the market by buying all the gold and selling it for a higher price to the public on "Black Friday." Grant convinces the Treasury to stop selling gold but the Treasury kept selling gold since they founf out that Grant was scamming them.

What was Dubois' main obligation?

DuBois was among the founders of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.The main obligation off this organization was to eradicate the existence of racial discrimination. It was initially formed in America in the year 1909. It also ensured that all the people got equal political social and economic rights.

When did Louisiana segregate?

In 1890 , Louisiana passed a law to require passengers to provide separate cars for blacks and whites. Homer Plessy was segregated but refused to move to a different train because he was black and got arrested. John H. Ferguson, the judge said segregation is ok.

Who led the Stalwarts?

Stalwarts were led by the Roscoe conkling,U.S. Senator who embraced the time-honored system of swapping civil-service jobs for votes. Half-Breeds were led by James G. Blaine of Mainne who flirted avoided with the civil service reform.