Question

During the major industrial strikes of the late 19th century, which action did the federal government take?

Answer 1

The federal government dispatched units of the U.S. Army to Chicago to enforce orders from federal courts, and clashes with citizens broke out in the city streets in July 1894

Answer 2

Began to use military forces to shut down strikes.

The most infamous of strikes was the Pullman Strike in 1894 which shut down rail cars in the US in particular those carrying mail. Cleveland used federal troops to stop the strike and arrested leaders for a federal interference with mail.

The military and police forces were used at Pullman but also in Chicago during other strikes. Often the violence of the strikebreakers led to riots leading to deaths of workers and soldiers. Federal leaders viewed unions as a disruption to the economic system and were willing to use military force to keep businesses running.