Read the following primary source, then describe at least one cause and one effect of the Pullman Strike:
"The Federal Government and the Chicago Strike"
THE GREATEST INDUSTRIAL BATTLE IN HISTORY.
The Chicago strike was in many respects the grandest industrial battle in history, and I am prouder of my small share in it than of any other act of my life.
Men, women and children were on the verge of starvation at the "model city" of Pullman. They had produced the fabulous wealth of the Pullman corporation, but they, poor souls, were compelled to suffer the torment of hunger pangs in the very midst of the abundance their labor had created.
A hundred and fifty thousand railroad employees, their fellow members in the American Railway Union, sympathized with them, shared their earnings with them, and after trying in every peaceable way they could conceive of to touch the flint heart of the Pullman company every overture being rejected, every suggestion denied, every proposition spurned with contempt they determined not to pollute their hands and dishonor their manhood by handling Pullman cars and contributing to the suffering and sorrow of their brethren and their wives and babes. And rather than do this they laid down their tools in a body, sacrificed their situations and submitted to persecution, exile and the blacklist; to idleness, poverty, crusts and rags, and I shall love and honor these moral heroes to my latest breath.
President Cleveland says that we were put down because we had acted in violation of the Sherman Anti-Trust law of 1890. Will he kindly state what other trusts were proceeded against and what capitalists were sentenced to prison during his administration?
Cause of the Pullman Strike:
One cause of the Pullman Strike was the poor working and living conditions of the employees in the town of Pullman. The primary source mentions that people in Pullman were on the verge of starvation despite producing wealth for the Pullman corporation. This injustice and inequality in compensation and treatment of workers led to discontent and frustration among the employees.
Effect of the Pullman Strike:
One effect of the Pullman Strike was the persecution, exile, and blacklist of the striking railroad employees. The source mentions that the employees sacrificed their situations by laying down their tools and refusing to handle Pullman cars. As a result, they were subjected to persecution, poverty, and the blacklist, which meant they were unable to find employment in the industry. This not only affected their livelihoods but also had long-lasting consequences for their families.
Cause of the Pullman Strike:
One cause of the Pullman Strike was the dire economic conditions faced by workers in the "model city" of Pullman. Despite the abundance of wealth produced by their labor for the Pullman corporation, workers and their families were on the verge of starvation. The disparity between their poverty and the company's prosperity contributed to the growing discontent and frustration among workers.
Effect of the Pullman Strike:
The effect of the Pullman Strike was the widespread solidarity and support it received from other railroad employees. Around 150,000 members of the American Railway Union sympathized with the Pullman workers and shared their earnings with them. In an act of solidarity, these railroad employees refused to handle Pullman cars and contribute to the suffering of their brethren, even if it meant sacrificing their own jobs and enduring persecution, exile, and the blacklist. This demonstration of unity among workers highlighted the strength and determination of those involved in the strike.
The primary source provided is a personal account of the author's involvement in the Pullman Strike, specifically their opposition to the Pullman company and their solidarity with the railroad employees. The Pullman Strike occurred in 1894, when workers at the Pullman Palace Car Company went on strike to protest wage cuts and poor working conditions.
Cause of the Pullman Strike: One cause of the Pullman Strike, as described in the source, was the dire living conditions of the workers in the "model city" of Pullman. Despite their contribution to the wealth of the Pullman corporation, the workers faced starvation and suffering. This unequal treatment and disregard for their well-being compelled them to take action.
Effect of the Pullman Strike: One effect of the Pullman Strike mentioned in the source is the collective action of the railroad employees, who sympathized with the Pullman workers and decided to support them by refusing to handle Pullman cars. This solidarity led to a widespread strike of railroad workers across the country, with an estimated 150,000 members of the American Railway Union taking part. This large-scale strike created significant disruptions in the railroad industry, impacting transportation and commerce throughout the nation.
To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Pullman Strike and its causes and effects, it would be beneficial to explore additional primary and secondary sources from various perspectives. Reading historical analysis, scholarly articles, and other primary source accounts can provide a more nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the event.