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From Illinois History
A Magazine for Young People
Here is a partial list of articles:
The Failure of the Pullman Strike and Its Effect on the U.S. Labor Reform Movement
John Peter Altgeld: Representative of the Working Man
The Haymarket Tragedy
The Packinghouse Jungle
Mary Harris Jones: A Union Crusader
New Orient Coal Mine Disaster of 1951
The Railway Strike of 1877
The Memorial Day Massacre of 1937
A Union is Formed
The Cherry Mine Disaster and its effects on Labor and Labor Unions in the United States |
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The Union Miners Cemetery
In Mt. Olive, Illinois
Located in Mt. Olive, Illinois, this is the burial site for Mother Jones, "the grandmother of agitators," and the victims of the Virdin Riot of 1898. The Union Miners Cemetery appears in the National Register of Historic Places, a list maintained by the United States Department of Interior. |
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A Curriculum of United States Labor History for Teachers
From the ILHS
This curriculum guide for teachers is sponsored by the Illinois Labor History Society. It was created by James D. Brown, Jr. for the Illinois Labor History Society in cooperation with teachers from the metro Chicago area and local union members. The Illinois Labor History Society is a non-profit organization with a mission to preserve and promote awareness of labor history in Illinois. ILHS is staffed by volunteers. This project was also produced by volunteers and one graduate intern. The HTML version is maintained by Chicago-Kent College of Law. |
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United We Stand
From the Library of Congress
“Think about your work environment . . . are you allowed to rest periodically? Do you earn a decent wage? Can you voice your concerns without losing your job? There was a time when workers in the United States did not have basic rights such as a minimum wage or time for a break. Work with primary source documents from American Memory to study the working conditions of U.S. laborers at the turn of the century. Answer the question, ‘Was there a need for organized labor unions?’ Students will:
• analyze and discuss the significance of primary source documents;
• describe the working conditions in the United States at the turn of the twentieth century that gave rise to the labor union movement;
• understand the justification for organized labor unions; and
• present their justification by using the primary source documents from American Memory to defend their arguments.” |
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How Labor Got Its Day
From EconEdLink
"If you asked students what comes to mind first when they think of Labor Day, what do you think they would say? The last days of summer? A family picnic? Shopping the Labor Day sales? The purpose of this lesson is to broaden and deepen student understanding of the Labor Day holiday. Students will learn why workers organized unions during the nineteenth century to fight for higher pay and better working conditions. They will discover that unions help balance the power between workers and employers—yielding a better life for many workers and their families today. This is a great lesson to do just before Labor Day. If your school doesn’t begin till after the holiday, consider doing it on May 1—the International Worker’s Rights Day!" On this site you can even access the "Look for the Union Label" song! This lesson is designed for Grades 3-5. |
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Labor Unions in the Cotton Mills
From the UNC School of Education
"This lesson for grades 11–12 will help students recognize the value of primary sources in studying and understanding history. Students will learn about the labor union movement in the U.S. by listening to oral histories, and will deliver a persuasive speech arguing for or against unionization." |
Child Labor in America 1908-1912
From the History Place
This website Features the original photos and captions by Lewis W. Hine. A fascinating set of images!
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The Dramas of Haymarket
From the Chicago Historical Society and Northwestern University
"The Haymarket meeting and bombing, the subsequent riot, arrests, trial, and executions, and related events of the period form one of the most remarkable episodes in the history of Chicago, the United States, and of working people everywhere." |
Labor, Unions, and Politics
From the Minnesota Humanities Center
"The mines of the Iron Range experienced two major strikes in the first two decades of the twentieth century. Workers wanted better pay, safer working conditions, and the ability to unionize. Workers went on strike in 1907, but were unsuccessful because of the influx of immigrants who came and worked as strike-breakers. Those same workers became fed up with the conditions and a much more successful strike followed in 1916." This site contain documents that "pertain to Labor and Politics on the Iron Range and specifically focus on the strikes in northern Minnesota in 1907 and 1916." Lesson plans for grades 8-12 are included. |
Labor History Links
From NIU
"This site is the most comprehensive bibliography of information, documents and links of U.S. labor history sites on the Internet." This site contains an extensive bibliography. A great resource! |
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Case Study: Martha Ballard
From Do History
Martha Ballard was a midwife in 18th century Maine. "Martha Ballard’s diary offers insight into the stuff of everyday life, through a woman’s eyes. In this instance the woman was an active midwife, so we have the added bonus of seeing the realm of birth and death as women lived it in Martha Ballard’s time. The themes and topics emerging from the diary cross into many realms." This site contains documents, teaching lessons, and more. Fascinating! |
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Labor Day Links
From the District Social Studies Website
"Labor Day – the first Monday in September – celebrates the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of America." Here you can find lots of links about Labor Day!
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