Strikes+(2-2)

Hay Market Riot: May 4, 1886

The Hay Market Riot began as a rally that quickly turned violent. An unknown person threw out a bomb at police that were stopping the public meeting of striking workers. The strike was caused by workers lashing out because of difficult working conditions and feeling the pressure of economic depression. Seven policeman and several protesters were killed.

The Bethlehem Steel Strike: February 4, 1910

During World War I and World War II, Bethlehem Steel, the second largest steel producer in the United States, was a major supplier of armor to the United States forces. Many of the United States ships used armor plates and steel guns supplied by Bethlehem Steel. By 1910, Bethlehem Steel had more than twice the amount of employees as other businesses. Workers for Bethlehem began to strike because of the harsh working conditions. A worker could be killed or injured by carbon monoxide poisoning, explosions, heavy objects falling, machinery, sparks, or boiling steel. The strike ended on may 18th, 1910, after 54 days of striking, still leaving more than 600 independents still on strike. The efforts of the strikers were futile because their attempt to shut down the company failed after just a couple day. These events slowed down the progress of the industrial revolution. It also was a turning point in the industrial revolution. It showed the owners that they had to treat their workers with respect. These events also helped in the process of getting labor laws put into effect.



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