Deck 3: Historical Development

Question 1

The transition of the United States from an agrarian, rural society with self-employed farmers, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, and shoemakers to one where most workers sell their labor for a wage or a salary was largely a smooth and relatively painless process.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The AFL (1886) was formed out of the frustration of workers who felt that unions, such as the Knights of Labor, were not effective in addressing everyday working issues.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

The National Labor Union was one large union that directly represented workers from many trades, crafts, and industries.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

A primary function of the AFL was to establish work rules designed to set and maintain working standards while protecting the skills and standards of the craft or trade.

Question 5

The AFL concept of exclusive jurisdiction held that workers of a particular craft (or trade) should be represented by just one union that would only represent that one craft (or trade).

Question 6

An important function of the AFL was to resolve disputes that arose between member unions seeking to represent the same workers.

Question 7

In the late 1800's, AFL-affiliated unions embraced workers of all kinds, including women, minorities, and unskilled workers.

Question 8

The Knights of Labor orchestrated the Hay Market rally as a way to draw attention to the union's goal of an eight-hour workday.

Question 9

The AFL was originally one big labor union that directly represented its workers in negotiations, strikes, and grievances.

Question 10

The ultimate goal of the Knights of Labor was to replace capitalism with producer cooperatives.

Question 11

One key difference between the AFL and the Knights of Labor is that the AFL focused primarily on skilled crafts while the KOL included both skilled and unskilled crafts.

Question 12

The Great Uprising of 1877 was successful in improving labor relations between workers and winning wage increases and reductions in hours of work.

Question 13

The Knights of Labor was an exclusive union that allowed only certain types of workers to join its ranks while not allowing other types of workers to join.

Question 14

The Knights of Labor is generally considered an example of an "uplift union" due to its mission to elevate the moral, intellectual, and social lives of workers.

Question 15

The first national unions in the U.S. began to develop during the early 1900's.

Question 16

The Knights of Labor was a militant union that advocated the use of strikes and boycotts as weapons that would force management to concede to their demands.

Question 17

Despite the AFL's emphasis on immediate improvements to working conditions, it was also intent on changing the basic economic structure of the U.S. economy from ownership control to worker control of business.

Question 18

The Homestead Strike of the Iron and Steel workers in Homestead, PA is representative of the struggle in the late 1800's between worker control over their own working conditions and management's right to unilaterally establish working conditions.

Question 19

The first unions in the U.S. were focused at the local level, representing a single craft or trade.

Question 20

The central conflict for the Knights of Labor was not with business owners, but rather with those who were perceived as controlling wealth, without actually producing it.

Question 21

The most controversial part of welfare capitalism was the attempt to provide workers with voice in the workplace using employee representation plans or unions established by the company.

Question 22

Between the early 1900's and 1930, employers advocated open shops in which all workers, regardless of race, gender, or union status, would be given an equal opportunity to work for them.

Question 23

Welfare capitalism was a method of management that sought to discourage unionization using intimidation and threats.

Question 24

The CIO formed because leaders of the AFL refused to represent the low skilled mass production workers in industries such as steel, automobiles, and textiles.

Question 25

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal program was consistent with the unitarist view of labor relations advocated by the human resource management school of thought.

Question 26

During and after the Great Depression, it was rare for unions to strike.

Question 27

Radical tactics such as those used by the IWW have proven to be effective in persuading employers to accept unions and bargain with them over terms and conditions of employment.

Question 28

Syndicalism refers to the strategy employed by the IWW to win gains in terms and conditions of employment through direct worker actions such as strikes, sabotage, and passive resistance.

Question 29

The result of the strike leading up to the Ludlow Massacre was union recognition and better wages, hours, and working conditions for miners in the coal mines of Colorado.

Question 30

The National Labor Relations Act had an immediate, positive impact on employer's willingness to accept unions in the workplace and to bargain with them over the wages, hours and working conditions of their members.

Question 31

The open shop movement criticized closed shop arrangements because they took away employee rights to freely determine where they wanted to work, and on what terms.

Question 32

The open shop movement of the early 1900's was funded by well-meaning workers who were concerned about the impact of unionization on their livelihood.

Question 33

The IWW was created out of frustration with the AFL because the AFL was more accepting of the current power structure within the U.S. and was not doing enough to fight against the repression of workers by judges, armed forces, and business leaders.

Question 34

Revolutionary unions tend to object to an economic system that allows the means of production in society to be owned by certain individuals while the rest of society must work for a wage.

Question 35

The rise in union membership after 1935 was due to increased legislative protections for unionization and a surge in craft unionism.

Question 36

Industrial unions challenged the power of craft unions at a time when craft unions were struggling with jurisdictional fights and problems coordinating the efforts of various local unions.

Question 37

The "open shop" movement of the early 1900's was a large scale effort by employers to close workplaces to individuals who were unionized or who had an interest in union representation.

Question 38

The open shop movement emphasized employer rights to freely make decisions regarding their property and business but downplayed worker rights to choose where to work and on what terms.

Question 39

The aim of welfare capitalism was to increase worker loyalty to the employer and improve supervisory practices that would create a more positive work environment.

Question 40

While many people worked in deplorable conditions in the U.S. during the late 1800's and early 1900's, it wasn't until after the Great Depression that broad support for labor reform was by the general public.

Question 41

The National War Labor Board was a tripartite board consisting of representatives from business, labor, and government and was responsible for settling labor disputes during WWII.

Question 42

The General Motors sit-down strike in 1936 was so successful that a wave of unionization followed throughout the auto industry.

Question 43

World War II was followed by a period of intense strike activity.

Question 44

While the late 1900s proved to be a challenging time for the labor movement, in the 21^st century unions have enjoyed a resurgence of power.

Question 45

Labor-management relations in the 1980s was characterized by concession bargaining, job loss, and the decline of manufacturing in the U.S.

Question 46

The National War Labor Board was instrumental in institutionalizing and legitimating unions in the United States because it provided a legal forum that recognized the role of unions in representing worker needs.

Question 47

The Great Strike Wave of 1945-46 resulted from pent-up frustrations over declining purchasing power and management attempts to reassert control over management decisions after World War II ended.

Question 48

Today a general unionism model has largely replaced both craft and industrial unionism.

Question 49

The outcome of the Great Strike Wave of 1945-46 was to reinforce the role of labor as a negotiating partner over wages, benefits and seniority and as a partner in making decisions regarding production and management of businesses.

Question 50

Change to Win is made up of the SEIU, the Teamsters, and the United Farm Workers.

Question 51

Nonunion organizations that represent workers through such means as education, protest, lobbying, and lawsuits are known as "alt-right" organizations.

Question 52

In the early days of the CIO, one of the key features that distinguished it from the AFL was an acceptance of minorities, immigrants, and women into the union.

Question 53

The AFL and CIO merged in 1955 largely to decrease competition between rival unions and increase their power in dealing with management.

Question 54

Some historians argue that the PATCO strike re-established a tone, or pattern of adversarial labor-management relations and union suppression in the U.S. that is still felt today.

Question 55

While racism and discrimination were significant problems in the larger social fabric of the U.S. during the 1960s, labor unions were instrumental in providing protection and relief from discrimination.

Question 56

During the 1930s, membership in the AFL grew significantly due its emphasis on unionizing small employers rather than large manufacturing companies.

Question 57

In 2005, the AFL-CIO split into rival AFL and CIO union federations, divided along craft and industrial lines.

Question 58

Between 1936 and 1941, employers used intimidation and force to control workers in auto and steel industries and hired labor spies to infiltrate their unions.

Question 59

When the CIO formed in 1938, it was much weaker than the AFL and did not pose much of a threat to AFL membership.

Question 60

Since the 1960s, union membership in the public sector has seen a dramatic decline.

Question 61

The quote, "This and other considerations have convinced us that if we resort to political action at all, we must keep clear of entangling alliances. With a distinct workingman's party in the field, there can be no distrust, no want of confidence" can be attributed to the leader of which of the following unions?

A) The Industrial Workers of the World.
B) The American Federation of Labor.
C) The Knights of Labor.
D) The National Labor Union.

Question 62

Which of the following unions is typically considered to be an uplift union?

A) Industrial Workers of the World.
B) American Federation of Labor.
C) National Labor Union.
D) Knights of Labor.

Question 63

Which of the following was formed first?

A) Industrial unions.
B) Business unions.
C) National unions.
D) Craft unions.

Question 64

Unions represent blue collar workers exclusively .

Question 65

To achieve gains for its members, the Knights of Labor focused primarily on

A) Strikes and boycotts.
B) Violent riots.
C) Sit down strikes.
D) Education and reforming capitalism.

Question 66

During the mid-1880's, which national labor union was at its peak in terms of power?

A) Industrial Workers of the World.
B) Knights of Labor.
C) National Labor Union.
D) American Federation of Labor.

Question 67

The first permanent union in the U.S. is attributed to the:

A) textile industry.
B) railroad industry.
C) shoemakers' industry.
D) auto industry.

Question 68

Which of the following is not seen as a precursor to the Great Uprising of 1877?

A) The hanging 10 miners who allegedly killed some mine owners.
B) Massive unemployment and an economic depression.
C) Widespread and large wage cuts for the working class.
D) Parades and protests for an 8 hour work day.

Question 69

For the Knights of Labor, the central conflict that needed to be won was between:

A) Workers and their employers.
B) Anyone considered a "producer" .
C) Workers and those who controlled money .
D) Workers and government officials.

Question 70

In response to increasing internationalization of business, U.S. unions have been aggressively fostering international labor solidarity as a way to maintain their bargaining strength.

Question 71

The significance of the Haymarket Square Riot, starting with the battle between strikers and their replacements at McCormick Reaper Works was:

A) It signaled the decline of unions in the U.S.
B) It was instrumental in turning public opinion away from employers and toward unions.
C) It resulted in better wages, hours, and working conditions for McCormick employees.
D) It weakened the Knights of Labor even though the union had encouraged workers not to strike.

Question 72

The first national labor unions began to develop in the 1850s, due in part to:

A) The advent of the rail industry which made it easier for union leaders to travel to various organizing points.
B) Powerful labor leaders.
C) Favorable legislation and courts that were friendly toward unions.
D) Increasing emphasis on craft development.

Question 73

The first federation of U.S. labor organizations representing unions from different occupations and industries was:

A) The American Federation of Labor.
B) The Congress of Industrial Organizations.
C) The Industrial Workers of the World.
D) The National Labor Union.

Question 74

The American Federation of Labor arose out of frustration with:

A) The National Labor Union's focus on craft unionism, which excluded industrial workers from its ranks.
B) The Knights of Labor's failure to address everyday working issues.
C) The Industrial Workers of the World's militant organizing tactics.
D) The CIO's exclusive focus on industrial unionism.

Question 75

The National Labor Union was a distinctly different type of union from other unions because it worked toward:

A) Producer and worker cooperatives.
B) Creating a national labor political party.
C) Better education.
D) Work hours reform.

Question 76

The first U.S. labor unions were organized by

A) Industry, with a focus on local employment issues.
B) Industry, with a focus on national employment issues.
C) Craft lines, with a focus on local employment issues.
D) Craft lines, with a focus on national employment issues.

Question 77

Which labor union believed that while work was necessary to provide for both personal and psychological needs of individuals, it was also key to serving God?

A) National Labor Union.
B) Knights of Labor.
C) Industrial Workers of the World.
D) American Federation of Labor.

Question 78

In the earliest years of our country's formation, work was characterized as:

A) Skilled industrial jobs.
B) Craft workers employed by factories and shop owners.
C) Self-employed farmers, shopkeepers and craftsman.
D) Unskilled industrial jobs.

Question 79

The Great Uprising of 1877 was primarily a conflict between:

A) Coal miners and coal mine owners.
B) Citizens and the state government.
C) Capital owners and workers in many industries and locations.
D) Railroad workers and railroad owners.

Question 80

In the Knights of Labor's vision for the future, businesses would be owned by:

A) Cooperatives made up of workers employed by the business.
B) Bankers, lawyers, and stockbrokers who could best control the flow of money into the economy.
C) Cooperatives made up of the producers of the goods and services they produced. These would include both workers and their employers.
D) Cooperatives made up of employers whereby multiple capital owners would join together to finance businesses.