Create a cause-and-effect chart
Write a letter explaining participation in the Haymarket Affair, the Homestead Strike, or the Pullman Strike
to read the primary source documents. This will be the basis and background information for your letter.
Then you will complete the 3 column chart.
Next you have to write a letter.
Use your chart to write a letter from the point of view of a participant in one of the three events—the Haymarket Affair, the Homestead Strike, or the Pullman Strike.
Your letter should explain why you participated and evaluate the effectiveness of the methods used. Use information from your causal analysis of the sources to write your letter. Consider both union actions and the responses of factory owners and the government to union actions.
1 answer
Event: The Haymarket Affair
Causes:
1. Poor working conditions in factories
2. Long working hours with low wages
3. Lack of job security and worker's rights
4. Emergence of labor unions advocating for workers' rights
5. Increasing tensions between workers and employers
Effects:
1. Formation of the International Working People's Association (IWPA)
2. May Day as a symbol of workers' rights
3. Growing support for labor unions
4. Violence and clashes between police and workers
5. Public backlash against labor movements and unions
Letter:
Dear [Recipient's Name],
I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to provide you with an insight into my participation in the Haymarket Affair and to evaluate the effectiveness of the methods used during this event. As a worker myself, I felt compelled to join the cause for better working conditions and workers' rights.
The primary reason for my participation in the Haymarket Affair was the deplorable working conditions in factories. Forced to endure long working hours with minimal wages, the workers faced immense hardships to make ends meet. We were deprived of basic job security and faced constant exploitation by factory owners. The emergence of labor unions, including the International Working People's Association (IWPA), provided a platform for workers to unite and demand fair treatment.
The Haymarket Affair had a significant impact on the labor movement. It marked the establishment of May Day as a symbol of workers' rights, reminding us of the struggle and sacrifices made by those who came before us. The events surrounding the Haymarket Affair fueled the growing support for labor unions as they fought for our rights.
Unfortunately, the clash between the police and the workers resulted in violence. This violence, along with the subsequent trial and execution of the Haymarket Martyrs, created a strong public backlash against labor movements and unions. The negative portrayal of the workers and their cause by the government and factory owners hindered the progress of our fight for better conditions.
Reflecting upon the methods used during the Haymarket Affair, it is evident that there were both successes and failures. The formation of labor unions and the collective action taken by workers brought attention to the issues we faced. However, the violence and public backlash ultimately hampered our progress. It is apparent that alternative methods of protest and negotiation could have been explored to convey our demands more effectively.
In conclusion, my participation in the Haymarket Affair was driven by the need for better working conditions and workers' rights. While the methods employed during this event had both positive and negative outcomes, it is essential for us to reflect on our past in order to inform our future actions. I hope this letter provides you with a deeper understanding of the motivations and evaluations surrounding the events of the Haymarket Affair.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]