Other
United Farm Workers: The Rise of the Ufw
History of the United Farm Workers union, with information about 1960 conditions and the efforts to improve them.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Transformation in North 1800 50: Early Industrialization Northeast
Examines the transformation of work from artisan-centered to a mechanized workforce. Looks at the emergence of industrialization and the impact it had on production and on the worker experience, the development of the consumer society,...
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.
University of Groningen
American History: Outlines: Movement South and Westward
Following Eli Whitney's invention in 1793 of the cotton gin -- a machine that separated raw cotton from seeds and other waste -- the cotton market boomed. Planters in the South bought land from small farmers who frequently moved farther...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1890 1945: The Age of Empire: The Progressive Era
The Progressive Era from the 1890s to the 1920s evolved as a response to the negative effects of industrialization. Reforms that emerged provided protections for workers and consumers and gave women voting rights. Backlash against the...
University of Pennsylvania
Mary Harris Mother Jones
A short, easy-to-understand biography of Mother Jones (1837-1930 CE) who was active in union and labor movements.
Other
New Georgia Encyclopedia: Progressive Era
A good overview of the reforms that were instituted not only in Georgia, but in the entire country during the Progressive Era. Read a history of the beginnings of progressivism, the people involved, and a recounting of the various...
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.
National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame: "Mother" Mary Harris Jones
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.
Other
Labor Arts: Labor Sings
Many songs, born of the American labor and civil rights movements, called people to action and were used to spread the messages of workers' rights and civil rights. Here you will find a nice collection of such songs. All songs in the...
Digital History
Digital History: Viva La Raza!
This Digital History site provides an informative overview of the Mexican American civil rights movement in America.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Roots of the Movement
Progressivism got a push from the Populist movement, a reaction to the forgettable presidents and laissez-faire government in the Gilded Age. Find a listing of authors who wrote about progressive ideas, and see what influence populism...
Oregon Secretary of State
Oregon History: Troubled Times
Although this site concerns itself with Oregon, the issues are nationwide. Article discusses the background of the Populist movement.
Curated OER
History Matters: Parsons Responds to Powderly
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.
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: 300 Women Who Changed History: Emma Goldman
This Britannica biography provides a brief, objective view of Emma Goldman's (1869-1940 CE) political life. Includes additional reading references.
The History Cat
The History Cat: The Industrial Revolution
Summarizes the events of the Industrial Revolution in Britain by highlighting what happened in the cotton industry and the mining industry.
Other
Afscme: "I've Been to the Mountaintop" by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Learn about the the events of the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers Strike which drew Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to Memphis, which is where he was soon to be assassinated. Excellent source of primary sources and first hand accounts of the...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Religious Revival: The "Social Gospel"
Social reform and teaching in the church which reflected social reform joined forces in latter part of the 19th century. Read about how an urban revivalist movement addressed such problems as poverty, child labor, and working conditions.
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...
University of Arizona
Pulse: Industrialization, Chemicals and Human Health
While students gain an understand of basic environmental toxicology, they explore the health impacts of industrialization on society in these lessons. This is a cross curricular unit that addresses standards for eleventh grade in math,...
CommonLit
Common Lit: Text Sets: Workers' Rights
As America grew, so did its production of agriculture and manufacturing, leading to a rise in workers and their demands. Study the history of worker's rights in America from the Industrial Revolution to today. This collection includes 13...
Other
Woman's Christian Temperance Union
The fascinating history of the WCTU and the many causes it advocated.
Digital History
Digital History: Sources of Discontent
After World War Two, many women placed a higher priority on marriage and having a family. However, this trend changed during the 1950s and by 1960 more women were attending college, working outside of the home, marrying later, and having...
Digital History
Digital History: The Movement for a Ten Hour Day
A brief look at the success the workers in several industries had in reducing their work day to ten hours.