Through out the course of history many industries faced hardships. During the Gilded age is when most of this took place. During that time in the 1890's both industries and workers faced highs and lows. Workers wanted more rights and industry owners didn't want to give them many. At this point in history many people were experiencing hardships and needed more money. The laborers were working for extremely low wages and could barely life off of what they were making.
As industries flourished, they continued to pay their employees as little as possible. After the increase of prices of many goods laborers demanded more money. In addition to demanding more money they also demanded better work conditions. As described in document B workers didn't even make enough money to pay their rent, and it wouldn't matter to Pullman weather they starved or not, he jus wanted their rent money. This forced them to go on strike. With their workers on strike ,industries weren't able to make any money, for they had no one to do the work for them. Document F explains how the strikers felt as if they were being enslaved and robbed. They said that no good could be seen in anything that was being done.
Although the workers were on strike the industries still had the upper hand. In document A, the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was what helped the industries the most. It stated that if there is any interference with commerce between states or foreign countries is declared illegal. Thus meaning laborers cannot go on strike because they would be interfering with trade. Laborers either had to go back to work or go to jail and be considered a felon. Though the Sherman Anti-Trust Act was not in their favor, workers later got what they wanted. They formed unions in order to get the most adequate wages and working conditions possible.
In all the Gilded Age was a time of suffering for many Americans who where lower class citizens. They weren't able to get a good pay and could barely make ends meet with what they were making. The Sherman Anti-Trust Act didn't make it any better. It was used to manipulate the workers and force them to going back to work. Today we have unions that protect employees and help their employers to take to right path to getting what their employees want and need.
