National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Prosperity: Labor Union
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards historical documents, literary texts, and works of art thematically organized with notes and discussion questions....
Other
Michigan State University: Earliest Voices: Samuel Gompers
This webpage offers a 1917 historic voice recording of labor leader Samuel Gompers on changes that were taking place in the labor movement as a result of World War I. A biography and downloadable images included.
Other
Earliest Voices: Gallery From the Vincent Voice Library
This site addresses the advent of the voice recording. The introduction talks about the country at the time of this invention, the feelings of people on the topic, and early recording itself. Included are voice recordings of such...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Americans and the Great War 1914 1919: A New Home Front
World War I changed the configuration of the workforce and organized labor took the opportunity to strengthen its power base. This section looks at the impact of these changes on women and African Americans, as well as how the women's...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History Unit: Period 7: 1890 1945: Intro.: Age of Empire
The study resource from Khan Academy provides an overview of Period 7: 1890-1945 in American History. The Age of Empire is discussed in this lesson. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: The Struggles of Labor
This site discusses how for much of the latter half of the 1800s, the life of the common laborer was horrendous. Working in a unsanitary factory, for at least 10 hours a day, making far less than needed to survive, the struggles of the...
Digital History
Digital History: Samuel Gompers and the American Federation of Labor
A good look at not only Samuel Gompers and the formation of the American Federation of Labor, but also of the course of unionism in general, its successes and failures, its goals, and membership in the late 19th century.
University of Maryland
Samuel Gompers Papers: Industrial Workers of the World
From the papers of Samuel Gompers, this is a description of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and its aims in the early 20th century.
University of Maryland
University of Maryland: The Samuel Gompers Papers
Site from the University of Maryland provides primary source documents, a brief history of the labor movement, and biographical information about Samuel Gompers. A great resource for teachers and students.
University of California
Uc Berkeley: Emma Goldman's Published Essays and Pamphlets: Samuel Gompers [Pdf]
An essay dedicated to Samuel Gompers, founder of the American Federation of Labor, written by Emma Goldman and published in 1925.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Spotlight Biography: Labor Reformers
Biographical information on Samuel Gompers, Frances Perkins and Cesar Chavez. All three were inspirations for the labor union movement.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Explore Pa History: The Great Steel Strike of 1919 Historical Marker
A strike by steel workers in Chicago eventually spread across the United States in 1919. Read about the strike, how was involved, and how the employers turned popular opinion against the strikers.
PBS
Pbs: Working for Freedom: Labor Reform and the Triangle Factory Fire [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that examines the conditions American workers faced in the late 1800s. Students will understand the factors that precipitated the birth and growth...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1865 1898: The Gilded Age: The Knights of Labor
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.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: American Federation of Labor
A history of the American Federation of Labor and its organization in 1881 by Samuel Gompers. Read about its growth and eventual combining with the Congress of Industrial Organization to become the AFL-CIO.
History Teacher
Historyteacher.net: The Rise of Big Business & the Labor Movement: Quiz (1)
10-question multiple choice quiz is immediately scored and tests your knowledge of industry and the labor movement in the late 19th century.
Other
Gilded Age: From Frontier to Factory Timeline 1845 1916
A timeline that lists major events in culture, military, industry, and politics across three-quarters of a century.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: American Federation of Labor
Samuel Gompers, master organizer, had a vision of a national union that would have economic clout, but would steer clear of politics. Read about his organization of skilled workers in craft unions under the banner of the American...
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Samuel Gompers
A brief biography of Samuel Gompers focusing primarily on his activities in labor union history.
Ohio History Central
Ohio History Central: Terence Powderly
A brief biography of Terence Powderly, formative leader of the Knights of Labor, as well as an official in the Bureau of Immigration.
Seymour Brody
Jewish Heroes in America: Samuel Gompers
Use this site to learn about this former president of The American Federation of Labor, who was a leader in the labor movement in the early 1900s.
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Samuel Gompers
(1850-1924) "An American labor leader, one of the founders and the first president of the American Federation of Labor." -Foster, 1921
Curated OER
Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Clip Art Etc: Samuel Gompers
(1850-1924) British labor leader who became a major figure in the American labor movement.