Talent

History of the US Labor Movement—Part 1: Before 1900

June 17, 2014

This slideshow, the first installment of a planned six-part series, covers the period 1869-1900.

The roots of the labor movement in the United States can be traced at least as far back as the settlement of first British colony in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607, when, according to the AFL-CIO's Labor History Timeline,"English planters founded the Jamestown colony and complained about the lack of laborers."

This series of galleries covers what we'll call the modern era of the U.S. labor movement, beginning with the late 1860s, when several early labor unions were formed.

Read History of the Labor Movement, Part 2.

About the Author

Pete Fehrenbach | Pete Fehrenbach, Associate Editor

Focus: Workforce | Chemical & Energy Industries | IW Manufacturing Hall of Fame

Follow Pete on Twitter: @PFehrenbachIW

Associate editor Pete Fehrenbach covers strategies and best practices in manufacturing workforce, delivering information about compensation strategies, education and training, employee engagement and retention, and teamwork. He writes a blog about workforce issue called Team Play.

Pete also provides news and analysis about successful companies in the chemical and energy industries, including oil and gas, renewable and alternative.

In addition, Pete coordinates the IndustryWeek Manufacturing Hall of Fame, IW’s annual tribute to the most influential executives and thought leaders in U.S. manufacturing history.