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Article
Library of Congress

Loc: The Anarchist Movement

For Students 9th - 10th
This page has a collection of links to historic newspaper articles from Chronicling America: American Historic Newspapers on the anarchist movement in the United States. The article dates range from 1896 to 1920.
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Primary
Curated OER

History Matters: "A Healthy Public Opinion"

For Students 9th - 10th
Read Terence V. Powderly's reasoning for keeping the Knights of Labor, which he headed, out of the turmoil that came after the Haymarket Square Riot.
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Primary
Other

Haymarket Trial: August Spies, Address to the Court

For Students 9th - 10th
Site presents the statement given by August Spies, who was convicted and hanged for his role in the Haymarket Square riot.
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Website
Chicago History Museum

Chicago Historical Society: The Dramas of Haymarket

For Students 9th - 10th
The Chicago Historical Society presents extensive information about the 1886 bombing at Haymarket Square that helped change the course of the labor movement. Read about the bombing, arrests, trial, executions, and other events that...
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Website
University of Missouri

Famous Trials: The Haymarket Trial

For Students 9th - 10th
"Attention Workingmen! Mass Meeting Tonight, at 7:30." This pamphlet was distributed on May 4, 1886. Chicago had been simmering with labor disputes which culminated in a riot at Haymarket Square where eight officers were killed. Use this...
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Handout
PBS

Pbs American Experience: Chicago: Anarchists and the Haymarket Square Incident

For Students 9th - 10th
From PBS' American Experience's series on Chicago, this article describes what led up to the Haymarket Square riot in May 1886. It details who was involved, what happened on May 4, 1886, and rigged jury who decided the fate of men...
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Website
Northern Illinois University

Illinois During the Guilded Age: The Haymarket Bomb in Historical Context

For Students 9th - 10th
Through essays, primary documents, images, and videos, relive the Haymarket Bomb incident and see what society and politics were like during the Guilded Age.
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Lesson Plan
Library of Congress

Loc: Chicago Anarchists on Trial: Evidence From the Haymarket Affair, 1886 1887

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson from the Library of Congress examines the Haymarket Square riot and resulting trial from many different perspectives. Read about the position the anarchists took, as well as the reactions of the police. Questions to encourage...
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Lesson Plan
Stanford University

Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Albert Parsons Sac

For Teachers 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation, students read six different sources that provide insight into what happened at Haymarket Square...
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Website
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

Gilder Lehrman Institute: Immigration and Migration

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login Required] A lengthy essay discussing the differing opinions about immigration and the role of immigrants in the United States in the latter half of the 19th century and the early 20th century. Find out about the...
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Unit Plan
The Newberry Library

Newberry Library: Dissent and Democracy in Modern American History

For Students 9th - 10th
Learning resource in which students examine primary source material for a look at the forms of dissent in U.S. history and the role dissent plays in a representative democracy. Questions for consideration are included.
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Website
Digital History

Digital History: Haymarket Square Riot

For Students 9th - 10th
A description of the Haymarket Square riot and its cause. Find quotes from the Chicago Tribune which called the protesters insurrectionists, and two Illinois governors who doubted the guilt of those rounded up, charged, and convicted of...
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Primary
Curated OER

History Matters: Parsons Responds to Powderly

For Students 9th - 10th
Read an excerpt from a letter written by Chicago radical and Haymarket defendant, Albert Parsons, to the "Chicago Times" concerning Terence V. Powderly and the Haymarket riot. Also links to other related sites.
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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.
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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...
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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.
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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.
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Article
A&E Television

History.com: How a Deadly Railroad Strike Led to the Labor Day Holiday

For Students 9th - 10th
When the federal government was called in to suppress a railroad workers' strike, dozens were killed and politicians sought a way to show they still supported workers. July 1894, President Grover Cleveland finally signed into law...
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Website
PBS

Pbs: American Experience: Eight Anarchists: August Spies

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about the fate of August Spies, union activist and anarchist, who was involved with the demonstration at Haymarket in Chicago.
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Handout
Chicago History Museum

Encyclopedia of Chicago: Haymarket and May Day

For Students 9th - 10th
Read this historical account of the events that led to the infamous labor dispute known as the Haymarket Square Riots on May 4th of 1886.
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Graphic
Chicago History Museum

Chicago Historical Society: Police Wooden Baton Used in Haymarket Square Riot

For Students 9th - 10th
The Haymarket Square demonstration turned violent in Chicago in 1886. See a wooden police baton used against the union rioters.
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Handout
Ohio History Central

Ohio History Central: Terence Powderly

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief biography of Terence Powderly, formative leader of the Knights of Labor, as well as an official in the Bureau of Immigration.
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Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: Haymarket Riot

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the 1886 Haymarket Riot that was perpetrated by anarchists at a Chicago labor rally.