The Pullman Strike of 1894: American Labor Comes of Age (Great Events) [Library Binding]

Rosemary Laughlin (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: Great Events

The strike at the Pullman Palace Car Company in the spring an summer of 1894 began a new era in the struggle between labor and management. The walk-out spread rapidly into a series of sympathy strikes along the thousand so miles of railroads heading west from Chicago. The participation of the American Railway Union, and its leader Eugene Debs, made this one of the first instances of an industrial union strike, and the willingess of the U.S. government to interfere on the side of management expanded Washington's power to interfere in the private economy.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-This strike is significant in American history because it was one of the first major confrontations between workers and management. The Pullman Palace Car Company built elegant dining, parlor, and sleeper cars for the railroads. It became so successful that George Pullman decided to build a factory near Chicago, as well as a company town where his employees could live. High rents in the town, the company's control of employees' nonworking lives, and reduced wages all contributed to the strike, which eventually involved several unions and led to interrupted rail service, mob violence, and federal intervention. The issues are complicated, but the author does an exemplary job of presenting the facts in a clear and understandable manner. The arguments of both sides are included without showing any bias. The last chapter puts the strike into perspective and discusses the major changes that resulted from it. Several black-and-white photos show the people involved in the work stoppage and important places and scenes from that time. This book will be useful for reports on both the labor movement and the social history of the United States.
Kristen Oravec, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Strongsville, OH
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"The author does an exemplary job of presenting the facts in a clear and understandable manner." -- School Library Journal

"This fine account will hold the reader's attention beyond the need for fact finding." -- ALA Booklist

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 112 pages
• Publisher: Morgan Reynolds Publishing (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1883846285
• ISBN-13: 978-1883846282
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,450,717 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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