America 1910-1919: Business and the Economy

Organized Labor and the Wilson Administration

Labor Growth.

The second decade of the twentieth century was a tumultuous time for organized labor. The labor issue frequently divided American society because trade unionism challenged the dominance of traditional economic and political institutions in the nation. Also, the unions contained numerous radical and socialist elements that frightened business owners and a sometimes timid middle class. Big business never willingly conceded to the demands of unions because the companies had consolidated their power under conservative principles, and unionism in any form threatened those values. Unions, however, were growing in the 1910s, and as the industrial conflict intensified, the battles spread into the larger national arena. Organized labor gained an avenue into nationwide political participation, thus forcing candidates at all levels to recognize their existence. Woodrow Wilson initially distrusted union activity but later became one of the first presidents to court the vote of labor actively. When they backed his.....

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