Which of the following best states the reason why workers formed unions beginning in the late 1800s?
a)they believed it was unfair that factory owners were rich while workers barely survived.
b)they believed there were not enough jobs available for unskilled workers.
c)they believed that unionizing child workers would give young people a sense of purpose.
d)they believed that unions provided the only way to end strikes and lockouts.

A)They believed it was unfair that factory owners were rich while workers barely survived.

Unions provided a consolidated voice for the workers giving them power against their employers.

Working conditions in the late 19th century were inhumane. Working hours were long and pay was barely enough to survive. Employers and owners of business were making more money than they could ever use in a lifetime. With this growing gap in income, unions attempted to get rights for and better pay for workers. Strikes were a common technique to try to get employers to negotiate with the union.

Union workers formed unions beginning in the late 1800's because they believed it was unfair that factory owners were rich while workers barely survived.

Further Explanation:

During the late 1800's, American industry was growing at an incredible rate. Thanks to individuals like John D. Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, and JP Morgan, the American economy was booming for many. Even though the United States had some of the richest individuals in the entire world, not all citizens benefited from this era known as the Gilded Age.

At this time, there was no minimum wage. This meant that business owners could pay workers whatever they wanted. This caused a significant problem within American society, as individuals were forced to work long hours for little pay. In order to change this dynamic, laborers began forming unions. A labor union is a group of individuals within a specific field of employment who work together in order to gain access to better wages, working conditions, and benefits.

Many laborers at this time developed unions because they felt it was unfair that the owners of the companies would be making millions of dollars while the average worker would make $10-15 a week. This conflict between labor and management caused significant problems during the Gilded Age. This can be seen in events like the Pullman Strike, Haymarket Square Riots, etc.

Learn More:

Explanation of Haymarket Square Riot-

Explanation of the Pullman Strike-

Key Details:

Topic: American History, Gilded Age

Grade Level: 7-12

Keywords: Labor union, Gilded Age, working conditions, Haymarket Square Riots, Pullman Strike

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