Question

The Homestead Strike of the Iron and Steel workers in Homestead, PA is representative of the struggle in the late 1800's between worker control over their own working conditions and management's right to unilaterally establish working conditions.A. TrueB. False

Answer 1

Answer:

A) True

Explanation:

The Homestead strike was a combination of both a company lockout (the company didn't allow workers to work) and a union strike (where the workers did't want to work). It was a power struggle between one of the darkest and sinister monopolists of the 19th century, Carnegie Steel (led by Andrew Carnegie) and the most powerful workers' union in America, the Amalgamated Association of Iron and Steel Workers.

In 1889 the union won, but Carnegie wanted revenge, so in 1892, he demanded harsher conditions after the initial contract was over and when the union said no, a lockout started. It was bloody and messy, with 16 dead. Carnegie's private army of 300 guards faced 10,000 strikers and things turned ugly soon. The Pinkertons (Carnegie's troops) were "defeated" but too many lives were lost.

Since Carnegie's little was defeated, he asked a bigger fish to help him and the governor sent 8,000 soldiers to arrest any union striker that opposed Carnegie. Finally, Carnegie's millions and corrupt politicians won, and the workers were forced to accept lower wages and more working hours. Those who rejected the forced deal were sent to prison.