“The worker is not a citizen because he works, but works because he is a citizen” (Bellamy 87)
LABOR AND WAGE PROBLEMS:
The Gilded Age can be characterized as an era of strikes. By the year 1900, 38% of the American population lived in cities and these people usually had urbanized jobs at factories. Immigration and other factors lead to a boom in industrial labor, and thus also to an increase in dissatisfaction with wages and working conditions. Labor unions sprung up across the country, defending the average worker's right to an 8 hour work day, decent wages, and a safe working environment. At the time, America was the leading global economy in terms of industrial output, but also the least safe regarding work related injuries and casualties. The following strikes and riots summarize the flaws that were recognized by the American working class.
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Labor unrest and rioting took place due to:
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Coeur d'Alene Mining Strike
This strike occurred in Idaho and became known as one of the most contentious labor/capital conflicts of the late nineteenth century. In 1892, the owners of the Coeur d'Alene mining district decided to curtail labor organization by creating a protective association and a significantly lower wage scale. The miners and labor unions denounced this wage slash and responded with peaceful protest. When the demands of the union were still not met, and the mining production screeched to a halt, a violent and destructive rebellion took place. Ultimately, after fighting and inhumane treatment, the mine owners declared a victory, although the mining labor union remained intact.
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Pullman Strike
George Pullman was a manufacturer who specialized in producing sleeping cars for railroads. In order to increase profit and capital, he developed a self sustaining community for his workers. Their wages, groceries, churches, parks, etc were all regulated by Pullman in an autocratic system. In 1894, this system fell apart when Pullman dramatically reduced wages while keeping the prices of commodities constant. Workers despised their absolute lack of control and resolved to strike against Pullman's tyrannic ways. The nationwide railroad strike turned sour when President Cleveland send federal troops to the Chicago, resulting in conflict, many deaths, and no resolution. This strike was another example of a pro business victory, against the interests of the working people.
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PRIMARY SOURCE:
A Second Declaration of Independence (1879)
Philip S. Foner, We the Other People (Urbana, 1976), pp. 117-19
(Voices of Freedom: a Documentary History pg 37)
In the midst of labor unrest and strikes, labor union organizer Ira Steward wrote "A Second Declaration of Independence" to highlight the bread and butter issues of workers' payment, hours, and treatment. His speech is aptly titled; he calls for independence from the wage slavery that existed in industrial factories across the country. He argues, in the selected quote above, that freedom is a derivative of wealth. By having basic necessities like food, shelter, and employment, which require money, one is free. Wealth leads to freedom, and in order to ensure freedom for every United States citizen, poverty must be eradicated.
BELLAMY'S SOLUTION:
In order to tackle the issues presented above, Bellamy introduces a socialistic solution to the labor problems that were rampant during the Gilded Age. Like Steward's quote discussing "universal wealth", Bellamy believed that in a perfect world, every citizen would earn enough wages to sustain himself comfortably.
- Jobs would be determined by interest and aptitude. The government would educate each citizen equally so that the working class was skilled and aware.
- Citizens would undergo schooling until the age of 21. They would then only work until 45 years old, enjoying a healthy and prolonged retirement period.
- Contribution to industry was comparable to the military. Every citizen acted like an industrial solider whose only goal was to serve the nation.
- Wages are exactly equal for every citizen. Every man, woman, and child receives the same payment from the government, regardless of mental or physical capacity.
- Every citizen is treated as an equal; there is no class system or wealth stratification.
- Work is based on the principles of honor, dignity, and determination, instead of wages.
- Each citizen strives to be the best version of himself in order to better the nation.