The Hardships of Labor: The Haymarket Affair and Its AftermathDouglas FickerNorthwest High SchoolSummer 2009Detached from: Harper's weekly. Vol. 30 , no. 1534 (May 15, 1886)The Haymarket Affair is perhaps the most famous example of labor violence and class conflict in the history of the United States. Using primary sources from the Library of Congress and the Chicago Historical Society, students will create an web-based, multimedia timeline of the events that led up to this famous event, the bombing and subsequent trials of the accused. Overview/ Materials/LOC Resources/Standards/ Procedures/Evaluation/Rubric/Handouts/ExtensionOverview Back to Navigation BarObjectives Students will:- Understand the animosity between factory workers and management- List the major labor unions of the Gilded Age- Comprehend why most labor strikes failed- Research the background of the Haymarket Affair- Created a multimedia timeline of the Haymarket Affair- Discuss the outcome of the Affair with his/her classmatesRecommended time frame Five 45-minute class daysGrade level High SchoolCurriculum fit United States History classMaterials Day one:1. Labor Unions and Strikes Powerpoint2. Projector for presentation3. Handout explaining the multimedia timelineDays two through four:1. Classroom netbooks, laptops, or computer lab access2. Access to the Library of Congress website Chicago Anarchists on Trial3. Access to dipity Timeline Creation websiteDay five:Teaching with Primary Sources Illinois State University1. Access to completed timelines (netbooks, laptops, or computer lab access)Ohio Academic Content Standards Back to Navigation BarBenchmark History B: Explain the social, political and economic effects of industrialization.Indicator (GLI): Industrialization: 1. Explain the effects of industrialization in the United States in the 19th century including: a. Changes in work and the workplace3. Analyze the reasons for the rise and growth of labor organizations in the United States (i.e., Knights of Labor, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations) including:a. Unregulated working conditions;b. Laissez-faire policies toward big business;c. Violence toward supporters of organized labor.Benchmark People in Societies B: Analyze the consequences of oppression, discrimination and conflict between cultures.Indicator (GLI): Diffusion 5. Explain the effects of immigration on society in the United States: e. Labor practices;Benchmark Economics A: Compare how different economic systems answer the fundamental economic questions of what goods and services to produce, how toproduce them, and who will consume them.Indicator (GLI): Markets: 2. Analyze the development and impacts of labor unions, farm organizations and business organizations on the U.S. economy.Benchmark Social Studies Skills and Methods A: Evaluate the reliability and credibility of sources.Indicator (GLI): Thinking and Organizing1. Determine the credibility of sources by considering the following:a. The qualifications and reputation of the writer;b. Agreement with other credible sources;c. Recognition of stereotypes;d. Accuracy and consistency of sources;e. The circumstances in which the author prepared the source.Benchmark Social Studies Skills and Methods B: Use data and evidence to support or refute a thesis.Teaching with Primary Sources Illinois State UniversityIndicator (GLI): Thinking and Organizing 2. Critique evidence used to support a thesisProcedures Back to Navigation BarEssential Questions:1. What accounted for the animosity between factory workers and management?2. What were the major labor unions of the Gilded Age?3. Why did most strikes fail during the Gilded Age?4. Why did labor leaders want a national strike in May, 1886?5. What are the most important events of the Haymarket Affair?6. What does the outcome of the Affair demonstrateabout America in the late 1880s?Day One:- Using the Labor Unions and Strikes Powerpoint, detail the major events of American Labor history from the end of the Reconstruction through the 1880s. Give the guided notes handout for students that need help with taking notes.- Focus on these concepts:o The limited choices that factory workers had in improving their liveso The differences between Socialism and Communismo Why these systems failed to take hold in Americao The major industrial unions in Gilded Age Americao How employers and factory owners reacted to the unionso The great strikes of the Gilded Age (especially the Haymarket Affair)Day Two:- Explain the multimedia timeline project to the students- Go over the project handout with the students- Demonstrate to students how to create accounts and make entries into the dipity website- Break into groups, go on the websites, and begin assembling materials into the timelineTeaching with Primary Sources Illinois State UniversityDays Three and Four:- Students continue to assemble timelinesDay Five:- Students present their timelines to the class- Class discussion about the events of the Haymarket Affair, focusing on the essential questions:1. What accounted for the animosity between factory workers and management?2. What were the major labor unions of the Gilded Age?3. Why did most strikes fail during the Gilded Age?4. Why did labor leaders want a national strike in May, 1886?5. What are the most important events of the Haymarket Affair?6. What does the outcome of the Affair demonstrateabout America in the late 1880s? (This is the most important question!)Evaluation Back to Navigation BarTimelines will be evaluated using the following rubric. Extension Back to Navigation BarThis topic can be extended through a discussion of any of the following ideas:1. What are the issues facing laborers today in America?2. What curtailed the violence towards labor unions in the United States?3. Are workers in other nations facing the same issues today that American workers faced in the 19th Century?The “Global Issues” website can be used to explore labor issues facing Developing Nations today. The following pages may be pertinent:Free Trade and GlobalizationPoverty around the worldTeaching with Primary Sources Illinois State UniversityPrimary Resources from the Library of CongressBack to Navigation BarStudents can use any of the many images, documents, and artifacts in the Library ofCongress’ collection. This is only a sampling of what they may find.Image Description Citation