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.
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...
Other
Mass Moments: January 12, 1912: Bread and Roses Strike Begins
The Bread and Roses Strike was given a very slight chance of accomplishing anything for women who worked in poor conditions in the textile mills in Lawrence, Massachusetts. See how wrong the mill owners and even the leaders of the...
Other
American Federation of Teachers Michigan
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.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Industrialization: Building Industrial America on the Backs of Labor
Learn about the lives of the working class in Industrial America, what led to the formation of labor unions, and why labor unions were not successful despite strike actions.
Other
American Federation of Labor: George Meany (1894 1980)
This resource presents a brief history of AFL-CIO leader George Meany.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Western Federation of Miners
A good review of the Western Federation of Miners and its actions in Colorado in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Find out why the organization was seen to have socialist leanings.
US Department of Labor
U.s. Department of Labor: Labor in the Industrial Era
This interesting essay traces the growth of the Knights of Labor from a group that represented those in the shoe industry in Philadelphia to a nationwide union fighting for workers' rights. It also traces other union developments over...
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...
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Labor in America
A rich collection of resources, including primary sources, student activities, and lesson plans, to support study of Americans at work in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.
University of Houston
University of Houston: Engines of Our Ingenuity: American Industrial Revolution
Aimed at middle school teachers and students, this resource contains lists of labor links. It includes a brief history of strikes, the Knights of Labor and the AFL.
Other
Usa: Chapter 9: Labor in America: The Worker's Role
Chapter 9 provides an overview of the profound changes labor has undergone from agrarian times to a modern industrial state in the 20th Century and outlines the significance and history of organized labor.
Digital History
Digital History: Postwar Labor Tensions
Read about the strength of labor unions just after World War I and see how the gains were eroded throughout the 1920s.
Library of Congress
Loc: Learning Page: Labor Unions During the Great Depression and the New Deal
A timeline of events related to the Great Depression, labor unions and the New Deal along with primary sources.
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.
Other
American Federation of Labor: John Lewis (1880 1969)
Biographical information on John L. Lewis, who was president of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), and also the founding president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO).
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Why Do Americans and Canadians Celebrate Labor Day?
In the United States and Canada, the first Monday of September is a federal holiday, Labor Day. Originally celebrated in New York City's Union Square in 1882, Labor Day was organized by unions as a rare day of rest for the overworked...
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: The Struggles of Labor
Outline of the struggles, conflict and violence experienced by 19th Century industrial workers.
University of Pittsburgh
Labor Legacy: 1919 Steel Strike
Read reports of the 1919 Steel Strike in Pittsburgh that appeared in the National Labor Journal in October, 1919. An interesting viewpoint of the strike and strikers.
Digital History
Digital History: Mexican Americans
Read about the terrible treatment of Mexican American citizens and immigrants during the Hoover presidency. See how they received some help with the New Deal.
Other
Kingwood Library: American Cultural History: 1880 1889
The 1880's in America were chock full of new architecture, technologies, businesses, modern conveniences such as gas and electric, operas, fashions, and much more as featured in this resource.
US Department of Labor
U.s. Department of Labor: Americans With Disabilities Act
A wealth of information and resources related to the Americans with Disabilities Act.
University of Houston
University of Houston: An American Industrial Revolution Unit: Rise of Labor
Students learn about the history of the labor movement in Industrial America, including some of the major unions that emerged and the most well-known strikes. Next, they make connections to the role of unions today. They then work in...
Social Studies Help Center
Social Studies Help Center: The Labor Union Movement in America
Discusses the Labor Union Movement in America from its origins in the 1700's.