Learn about the Polish Crisis of 1980-1981 that began with a wave of strikes across Poland and the formation of the first independent labor union. The documents are from Russian archives that were writtne in response to the Polish crisis.

The full text of Zane Grey's novel which deals with farming in the Northwest, World War I, and the I.W.W. labor union.

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.

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...

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...

A discussion of the railroad strike of 1877 as it affected particularly Illinois. Read about how the strikes were put down violently and who was blamed for the work stoppages.

Given background information and primary source documents, learners will write an essay describing the events of the Pullman Strike of 1894 organized around a theme.

This high school lesson plan focuses on the Homestead Strike of 1892. Young scholars are asked to write an essay explaining why the strike occurred and how the Carnegie Company went about winning the strike. Included are twenty-seven...

A good explanation of the Ludlow Massacre in the coalfields of Colorado and what led up to it. In addition, there is an interesting description of how this violent reaction to a strike by miners affected John D. Rockefeller, Jr., one of...

A look at the history of the United Mine Workers from its inception to present day. Find out what causes the UMW supported.

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.

An article from Workers World describes the Bread and Roses Strike and explains why it ended up to be so effective. One interesting aspect is that there were immigrants working in the Lawrence textile mills speaking 25 different...

Excerpts from Senate testimony given by John L. Lewis in 1933, when he was President of the United Mine Workers of America.

Read about the Railroad Strike of 1877 that started in Pennsylvania and spread across the Midwest. Find out about the violence against the strikers and the use of the military to end the strike.

This article from the Encyclopedia of Chicago explains how a strike by railroad workers in West Virginia eventually made its way to Chicago and was taken up by workers from many industries. See how city officials resolved this general...

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...

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...

This primary source set uses illustrations, documents, and photographs to tell the story of the Homestead Strike.

Theodore Roosevelt had many talents. See how he acted as arbitrator in the coal strike of 1902, and supported the demands of the United Mine Workers to improve the working conditions of the miners.

Read an article from the Rock Springs Independent railng against the return of the Chinese coal miners the day after the Rock Springs Massacre that resulted in the death of several Chinese laborers.

Complete biographical sketch of Cesar Chavez, founder of the United Farm Worker's (UFW) in 1962. Provides a detailed discussion of his early life, his family, and his work with labor issues.

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.

Article from the San Francisco News, July 3, 1934, reports on a union strike which occured in the San Fransico area. May be a bit violent for young students to read.

Short biographical essay on Robert F. Wagner, author of the Social Security Act and the Wagner Labor Act.