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The late 1800s was the beginning of the Industrial Revolution, the most momentous and dynamic time in American history. Industrial cities and towns grew significantly because of the migration of farmers and families who were searching for work in factories and mines. The resettlement of the people would help start a new development and retransformation of the country for generations to come. It was a time of reform, in which many Americans wanted to regulate corporations and manipulate the changes that were taking place all around. The people came to America to be free and to make a life as they pleased but it seemed that it was all corrupt and they felt enslaved yet again.
These factories and mines were dangerous, dirty, and unforgiving, and the working conditions that the working-class people faced were gruesome. They would work 12-16-hour shifts, were paid low wages that barely covered the cost of living, and had little to no worker rights. Since the government had little to no role in the workplace, the wealthy owners took advantage and acted in the way they wanted. Workers were required to work long shifts of 16-hour days in grueling conditions, it was repetitive, tiring, and excruciatingly hot. Often workers were denied breaks, if they took a break anyway, they would deduct it from their pay. Many factory workers had to work in tight spaces with poor lighting, certain machines were left unguarded because of the unsafe working conditions many became injured and sometimes died. Such as the Triangle Shirtwaist fire that injured 71 and killed 146 men and women. The doors to the factory were chained so that the workers would not take unauthorized breaks and when the fire started because of poor conditions, they could not get out. This was not the first incident, this happened the year before and the Triangle workers had gone on strike. The strikers demanded union recognition, higher wages, and better safety in the workplace, but the factory owners decided not to comply, they stated that the viable fire escape and unlocked doors were too expensive, instead, the police were called to break up the strike and there was no change for the people. On top of the horrendous working conditions, they were paid small amounts and struggled to survive. The amount they paid for rent took most of their money which did not leave them much to buy food, clothes, and luxury items. At times, workers were late, and their pay would be deducted for taking a break. The amount of pay was so poor that they would need their children to work as well, owners were keen to hire the children; it was cheap labor, and they could be used for certain jobs due to their size. Due to the government practicing “laissez-faire,” wealthy entrepreneurs were able to take advantage of these workers. The workers had no rights to protect or to compensate them when they became injured and could no longer work preventing children from working and exposing them to dangerous working conditions.
Business owners were taking full advantage of the opportunity to help contribute to the significant era of the industry. They were in the business to make money and wanted to use the cheapest labor they could find. Factories were being built and businesses needed workers. With so many people willing to work, employers would set wages as low as they wanted because people were willing to do work since they were going to get paid. Business owners knew that if the workers did not want to work or became injured, they could be replaced easily, the line of people was long, and those people were willing to work. People worked for necessity and were willing to do the work, they had the grit to do so; although some were strong-minded and decided to take a stand and fight, others were not; they did not want to join the fight. The workers knew the way they were being treated was inhumane and something needed to be done. It only took a small few to start the strike, with persistence they were able to gather most of the workers to join the strike. Regardless of the threats, gang lynching, and police beatings; they did not give up until there was a change in the way the workers were treated. Throughout the years some brave people were leaders such as Agnes Nestor in the 1890’s, who was a part of a strike and helped other women to join, she also became involved with a union group and gathered more women to join. The courageous speaker Rose Schneiderman, on April 2, 1911, spoke for the people who died in the Triangle Shirtwaist fire.
American life was not the same and numerous challenges occurred, but a countless number of Americans were willing to tackle the problems and come up with solutions. They pushed together and accomplished a turning point for many Americans. The Progressive Era unified the relationship between politics, culture, and society by eliminating the issues that caused unsettling situations, that cause chaos, and refused to give efficiency and justice.
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