Violence+in+the+Cities

JML: Violence caused by labor disputes was different than violence caused by other factors, specifically immigrant violence. Labor disputes were nationwide; they were not confined to cities as violence due to anti-immigrant feelings usually were. Worker related violence was not anchored to the cities because, as with the Homestead Strike, many took place in company towns. Employee-employer disagreements also happened all over the country, from coast to coast. They were widespread because labor disputes typically involved unions and several unions, such as the first, the National Labor Union, were nationwide. And the problems facing workers that caused the disputes, such as the practice of long hours and low wages, were also widespread. Labor disputes and immigration disputes were dissimilar because while immigration problems were mainly located in northern cities, where the majority of immigrants were, labor violence was more widespread because of the national unions and problems that caused labor violence and the fact that worker disputes were not limited to happening in cities. But labor disputes were also similar to other types of violence, namely racial violence. Both worker and race violence hurt many and caused great property damage. For example, during the Homestead Strike, thirty five people were killed and also resulted in two thousand and five hundred dollars in damage. Similarly, racial violence has lead to countless lynching and beatings, and as such was the case during a riot in Springfield, Illinois on August 13th in 1908, rioters attacked the homes or businesses of or that catered to African Americans. Many labor disagreements and racial disputes lead to federal government intervention. Such was the case with the Pullman Strike. Industrialists were forced to bring in federal troops due to the ineffectiveness of local police and state militia. These forces were ineffective because of the fact that the police and state forces tended to associate with the strikers and because of the vast numbers the laborers had. Likewise, such as during the race riot previously mentioned, federal assistance was needed to quell racial violence. This fact was also due to ineffectiveness of local forces. Local forces were unsuccessful in the face of race riots because of the large numbers of rioters and the fact that on many instances, the police were part of the problem. Thus, labor disputes and racial violence were similar because both caused much death and damages and both at times relied on the federal government to end the fighting.

checked 11/7

RCJ: American history is filled with violence; labor strikes would sometimes spiral into bloody riots such as that in Haymarket Square, and even movements toward reform used violence as a means of change on occasion, such as Carrie Nation’s infamous campaign against alcohol in which she and other prohibitionists would storm bars and smash whatever they could. Still, most of the brutal acts of this time centered around the influx of immigration, and the matter of race – just as it always had. The pattern began when the first white settlers came to disagreements with Native Americans, which resulted in extreme violence by both parties. By the 19th century, America’s population had become diverse with new ethnic groups; the Chinese had found a place in the West, African Americans had been freed from slavery, and a steady stream of immigrants from Europe had been established. As industry rose to power in cities, immigrants came to be viewed not only as strange people with contrary ideas and beliefs, but also as competition. The stronger industry became, the less skill was required for workers: even an immigrant just arrived was capable of working in factories. When attempts were made by undervalued factory workers to raise wages and working conditions, immigrants thwarted efforts. Grateful to have any sort of job, they were often brought in to replace those who spoke out against corporations. Understandably frustrated, those who lost their positions, meager though they were, frequently lashed out against these ‘scab’ workers. A corporation could not be brought down through violence, but attacking the people brought in as replacements brought a sense of satisfaction. The sheer quantity of foreigners in the cities also contributed to unease. Major cities were full to bursting with ethnic groups outside of the traditional white English-descendant, bringing different religions and ideas of anarchy and socialism, meaning they were easy scapegoats for the problems arising in the late 1800s and early 1900s. checked 11/14