Read the text and listen to President Truman's speech concerning his plans to address the railway strike that was affecting the post-World War II economy. (12 min.19 sec.)

PBS provides this five-part, thorough biography of one of the richest men in America, Andrew Carnegie.

[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...

Learning module in which students use primary source material to examine the plight of workers in Chicago during the 19th and 20th Centuries, their efforts to make changes to working conditions and public response to those efforts.

A television documentary from Idaho Public Television that recreates the trial of Big Bill Haywood, leader of the Western Federation of Miners, charged with hiring a hit man to kill an Idaho ex-governor. Read about how he was captured,...

This story documents the struggle of workers at Starbucks Coffee in New York City to get more guaranteed hours per week. (Nov. 18, 2005)

Amazing number of agencies formed as a result of New Deal legislation. Read about the agencies and legislation whose acronyms have become part of governmental history.

This companion to the PBS series surveys the career of the longest-serving president in U.S. history and leader through the Great Depression and World War II.

A contemporary article from the magazine, The Nation, which describes the steel strike in Youngstown, Ohio, in June 1937. Read about the background of the strike, and follow the author's ordeal as she was arrested, despite her press...

An intriguing biography on the contributions and experiences of Reverend Addie Wyatt during the Civil Rights and Women's Movements.

This state affiliate of the National Education Association provides information on the organization, its membership and benefits, and legislative initiatives.

An article from the July 31, 1937 edition from The Nation magazine discussing the relationship between Big Steel, Little Steel, and the Committee of Industrial Organization (CIO). Written with a great deal of irony.

A good summary of the establishment of the Congress of Industrial Organizations and the reasons why John L. Lewis founded it. Read about the roadblocks unskilled and semi-skilled labor overcame to organize.

A short report on America by 1900: "..the American nation had established itself as a world power. The West was Won. The frontier -- the great fact of 300 years of American history -- was no more."

1896, A Website of Political Cartoons and Commentary provides the illustrated story of both the Homestead and Pullman strikes with quotes from newspapers of the time and a brief characterization of Andrew Carnegie. The site includes a...

This site from McMaster University has background information on Adam Smith. The article is provided by James Anson Farrer, and the information is very in-depth and lengthy, broken into different chapters. (Published 1881)

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.

This site tells about the process of collective bargaining and how it is used to settle labor disputes.

A message from Linda Chavez-Thompson, Executive Vice President of the AFL-CIO, regarding the importance of unionization and being active politically.

Read about the fate of August Spies, union activist and anarchist, who was involved with the demonstration at Haymarket in Chicago.

The Haymarket Square demonstration turned violent in Chicago in 1886. See a wooden police baton used against the union rioters.

An article detailing the activities of the Minute Men of Seattle, a volunteer organization whose objective was to rout out any enemy of the United States during World War I.

The United States had an industrial resurgence after the Civil War. Read about the growth of big business in many areas and the men associated with these businesses. See also the people who did not prosper during this time and evaluate...

America's Story identifies the accomplishments of Andrew Carnegie as a businessman and a philanthropist. It highlights his commitment to give back to society. It also highlights the comparisons between his mother's and father's influence...