Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Joe Hill and the International Workers of the World [Pdf]

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that focuses on the growth of militant labor unions like the International Workers of the World, on Joe Hill's role in the IWW, and on the...
Handout
Ohio History Central

Ohio History Central: United Mine Workers of America

For Students 9th - 10th
A look at the history of the United Mine Workers from its inception to present day. Find out what causes the UMW supported.
Handout
National Women's Hall of Fame

National Women's Hall of Fame: "Mother" Mary Harris Jones

For Students 9th - 10th
The National Women's Hall of Fame recognizes the important and influential life work of the famous labor organizer and worker's rights activist "Mother" Jones.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Gilded Age

For Students 5th - 8th Standards
The United States had an industrial resurgence after the Civil War. Read about the growth of big business in many areas and the men associated with these businesses. See also the people who did not prosper during this time and evaluate...
Handout
Other

Illinois Labor History Society: The Haymarket and Its Memorial

For Students 9th - 10th
This site contains a description of the Haymarket Tragedy, and also includes many related topics.
Handout
Other

Illinois Labor History Society: Gene Debs and the American Railway Union

For Students 9th - 10th
Description of the rise and fall of the American Railway Union in the context of the Pullman Strike.
Website
Ohio History Central

Ohio History Central: Knights of Labor

For Students 9th - 10th
Ohio History Central gives a brief summary of the actions and goals of the Knights of Labor in the last half of the 19th century. Find out about their push for improved working conditions and whether striking was advantageous or not in...
Website
Ohio History Central

Ohio History Central: Little Steel Strike of 1937

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting article about the strike against the Little Steel companies in Ohio in 1937. It describes the use of the sit-down strike by the unionized steel workers.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: Early National Organizations

For Students 5th - 8th
As early as 1866 a national union grew from the multitude of local unions in the country. Read about the growth of stronger unions, and find out what their goals were. See why the Haymarket Square Riot had an effect on unionization.
Website
Library of Congress

Loc: Today in History: September 2: The Rock Springs Massacre

For Students 9th - 10th
Scroll down through this American Memory's Today in History to the Rock Springs Massacre. Find a brief description of what happened to the Chinese mine workers on that day in Wyoming, and the aftermath. Included are links to photographs...
Website
Other

Afl Cio: Labor Timeline

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this resource to explore the development of labor unions in the United States. The interactive timeline allows you to scroll through the periods of labor development.
Handout
Other

Key People in Labor History: Mother Jones (1837 1930)

For Students 9th - 10th
Once called "the most dangerous woman in America", Mary Harris "Mother" Jones was one of the great organizers of the labor and union movements.
Handout
Library of Congress

Loc: America's Story: Andrew Carnegie

For Students 3rd - 8th Standards
America's Story identifies the accomplishments of Andrew Carnegie as a businessman and a philanthropist. It highlights his commitment to give back to society. It also highlights the comparisons between his mother's and father's influence...
Article
A&E Television

History.com: Labor Movement

For Students 9th - 10th
Article takes a look at the history of the Labor Movement and labor unions through videos, pictures, speeches and more.
Lesson Plan
Council for Economic Education

Econ Ed Link: Work, Earnings and Economics: Using Lyddie by Katherine Paterson

For Teachers 6th - 8th
In reading and discussing Lyddie, by Katherine Paterson, students examine basic economic concepts and explore the growth of labor unions and the role of government in a market economy.
Handout
Other

Lehigh University: The Molly Maguires

For Students 9th - 10th
An interesting site compiled by a Lehigh University undergraduate student, regarding a secret mining organization known as the "Molly Maguires" who operated in the Pennsylvania coal mines during the latter part of the 19th century.
Website
Other

American Federation of Teachers Michigan

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
This state affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers provides information on the organization, its membership and benefits, upcoming events, and legislative initiatives, and provides links to other state and national sites.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Great Upheaval

For Students 5th - 8th
What started as a localized railway strike by workers upset by a pay cut spread across the country in the summer of 1877. Read about the striking workers and the force used against them, how the strike affected rail service, and what the...
Website
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Harcourt: Biographies: Cesar Chavez

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about this leader who helped bring many important changes for farm workers in the U.S. Following the peaceful examples of King and Ghandi, Cesar Chavez helped much needed improvements take place.
Handout
Black Past

Black Past: Young, Coleman

For Students 9th - 10th
This encyclopedia entry recounts the colorful life of Coleman Young, long time mayor of Detroit.
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: The Gilded Age: The Knights of Labor

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the rise of labor unions and the history of the Knights of Labor. After the Haymarket Square riots, members deserted it and many joined the American Federation of Labor instead. Includes questions for students at end.
Handout
Khan Academy

Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1890 1945: The Age of Empire: Muckrakers

For Students 9th - 10th
Discusses the muckraking journalists and novelists who were at the forefront of movements pushing for stronger protections for workers and consumers. Their work led to the passage of several important pieces of legislation. Includes...
Website
Other

Nlrb: 1947 Taft Hartley Substantive Provisions

For Students 9th - 10th
The Taft-Hartley Act was a contentious law aimed at limiting the influence of labor unions immediately after World War II. Read about the act and the changes it made to the Wagner Act.
Handout
Georgia Humanities Council and the University of Georgia Press.

New Georgia Encyclopedia: Knights of Labor

For Students 9th - 10th
Reference source for information on the history of the labor organization, the Knights of Labor, nationally and in Georgia, in particular, in the late 1800s and the role it played in organizing southern laborers. Hyperlinks to additional...