Definitions
1. Paternalism- the behavior of a person or a group of individuals, which limits the freedom of a person or a group of people (“Paternalism”). In some cases, it is viewed as an act of a person or a group of people to show superiority against others.
2. Primary sources- a source of information that was created at the particular time of study depending on a specific topic. It could be a recording, a written document, an image, an artifact or any other source. Primary sources provide first-hand information and direct evidence of a particular topic
3. Class consciousness- the act of having full awareness of complete understanding of a person’s social class or their economic rank in the society (“Class consciousness”).
4. Scientific management- this is a management theory by Fredrick Taylor in 1911, which is used to synthesize the workflow of an organization. It mainly focuses on improving the labor productivity through the division of labor, work measurement, standardization and rationalization (Clark 23).
5. Dual unionism- developing a union within a union that is already existing. It should also be parallel to the existing one.
Short Answer
1. Four characteristics of the transformation in the workplace during the first industrial revolution (1850 -1890).
The factory system was introduced, hence, there was the division of labor in the workplace.
There was a development of working- class movements and authorities.
People gained new skills in the place of work to cope with the transformations.
Workers had little job security since they were slowly being replaced by machines.
2. Three aspects of the role of women in the economy before 1850.
Formation of women labor unions.
More women were educated; they came out to make an impression on the world.
There was decreased dependence on wages from men since more women were working to support their families.
3. Three features of the lives of urban working families during the late 1800’s.
The cities were overcrowded; hence, families faced poor living conditions.
Men had to earn to support their families while women to care for the family at home.
There was a distinction between workplace and home due to better transport facilities.
Essay
Describe the development of unions in Canada from 1850 to 1914 include discussion of the Knights of Labor, craft unionism, the influence of American unions, and the rise of the Industrial Workers of the World.
Labor unions in Canada developed and served a significant role to workers. The unions fought for some things, which are still being felt today; they include protection from harassment or discrimination, overtime pay, safety standards, maternity leave and many others. Many unions were formed between 1850 and 1914 to serve different purposes (De Vries 420).
Knights of Labor was a vital labor organization. It started as a secret organization in 1869 but later flourished under the leadership of Terrence V Powderly (Hallgrimsdottir 533). The group fought for eight- hour day, abolishment of child labor and equal pay for work. They mainly believed in boycotts and arbitration and not strikes. The affiliation is likely to have been dropped in 1949 by its 50th member.
Crafts unionism began in the early decades when skilled craftsmen came together though they had weak organizations; they were able to fight for better wages and better-working conditions like the 10- hour day in 1867 and the nine- hour day in 1872 (Dubofsky and McCartin 34).
Influences from American unions resulted in the Clayton Act of 1914 that allowed workers to join unions. The Railway Labor Act of 1926 allowed workers to form their unions without the employers being part of them (Ashton 12). The Wagner Act of 1935 allowed workers freedom of association.
Industrial Workers of the World whose members were known as ‘Wobblies’, was a movement formed in 1905 in Chicago. The rise of this union was to ensure the end of capitalism. This organization was radical in nature (Kuruvilla, Gallagher and Wetzel 499). In 1920, membership decreased and in 1924, there was a schism from which this movement could not recover. The movement was banned in 1949.
These unions are important since they aid in fighting for the rights of workers. Better working conditions for workers would result in better productivity.
Works Cited
Ashton, Thomas S. The industrial revolution 1760-1830. Vol. 109. In the Hands of a Child, 1966. Print.
"Class consciousness". Dictionary.com Unabridged. Random House, Inc. Web.22 Feb. 2016.
Clark, Alice. The working life of women in the seventeenth century. Routledge, 2013. Print.
De Vries, Jan. "The industrial revolution and the industrious revolution." The Journal of Economic History 54.02 (1994): 249-270. Print.
Dubofsky, Melvyn, and Joseph Anthony McCartin. We shall be all: A history of the industrial workers of the world. University of Illinois Press, 2000. Print.
Hallgrimsdottir, Helga Kristin. "The Knights of Labor and the failure of the arbitration platform, 1886–1887: Ideology, Hegemony, and contextually generated opportunities for frame success." The Sociological Quarterly 47.4 (2006): 521-542. Print.
Kuruvilla, Sarosh, Daniel G. Gallagher, and Kurt Wetzel. "The development of members' attitudes toward their unions: Sweden and Canada." Industrial & Labor Relations Review 46.3 (1993): 499-514. Print.
"Paternalism." Merriam-Webster.com. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2016.
