Tragedy at the Haymarket

Tragedy at the HaymarketFocus QuestionDescribe the differences between these two posters

ObjectivesAfter this lesson, you will:Discuss the conflict between personal freedom and public safetyIdentify the major events in the Haymarket TragedyDiscuss the impact of the Haymarket Tragedy on 19th century America

Congress shall make no law abridging . . . the right of the people peaceably to assemble . . .First Amendment, 1791The Haymarket AffairThe Haymarket had a profound effect on the American Labor MovementLed to an end of the 8-hour day movementGalvanized public distrust of organized laborLed to the collapse of the Knights of Labor

ChicagoChicago in the 1880s was key to the Labor MovementManufacturing and transportation centerRapidly growing cityLarge-scale European immigrationStrong divide between the rich and poorHome to many immigrantsPresence of a significant Anarchistmovement

Anarchism and LaborStrong Anarchist Movement in ChicagoReplace state authority with the freedom of laborUtopian movementHad roots in the Chicago GermancommunityMany anarchists in Chicago had tieswith the Knights of Labor

May 1886Anarchists in Chicago sought an 8-hour work dayCalled for a General Strike on May 1, 1886Shutting down the city would force Management to bargainMay Day opened with massive rallies,marches, and a work stoppage

Encouraging ResultsMany in the city supported the movementSome industries immediately gave inMeatpackers signed contracts guaranteeing the 8-hour day on May 2Others seemed sure to follow

McCormick WorksManagement locked workers out at the McCormick works in FebruaryRally held on May 3, 1886 to support the workersRally broken apart by the Chicago policeCrowd dispersed when fired uponTwo workers killed by the policeLeft organizers fuming

Rally called at the HaymarketRally scheduled for the next daySpeakers addressed the crowd from 8:30 until 10:30Peaceable AssemblyCivic leaders attended, did not participate

The IncidentAt 10:30 the rally was ordered to disperseSome 175 Chicago police marched on the crowdSpeakers announced that they would goA bomb exploded, killing 7 policemen outrightPolice fired into thecrowd, killing 4

Public AnimosityChicago business leaders turned on the workersGeneral Strike abruptly endedExisting 8-hour contracts rendered voidLeaders of the rally arrestedSpeedy conviction in the Cook CountyCourtsFour executedOne committed suicide in prisonThree received pardons from the Governor

ResultsEight-hour day movement stalled until the 1930sPublic turned against organized laborKnights of Labor collapsedGrowth of a more conservative labor organizationAmerican Federation of LaborGovernment saw a need to redirect working class frustrationSummaryDescribe three things learned in this class during this week.