How the Formation of Three Unions Saved the United States in the 1800's

We used to live in a world without protection. No one cared if someone lost a limb during work. No one protected the rights the constitution gave us. We needed protectors, people who stood up for what was right. We needed unions. The formation of three different unions helped save the United States of America in the 1800’s.

Here lies a man, he is broken, suffering from starvation, dressed in filthy rags he calls clothes, and sicker than a dog. This man is suffering, but does anyone hear his cries, does anyone care that everyday he endures excruciating pain just to provide for his family, soon working in such horrendous conditions will kill him? The answer is no, no one cares every day he nears his last… even though most are suffering from the same sad fate. This man needs an angel to save him, to protect him from such monsters as Andrew Carnegie. This man needs a union. In the Early 1800’s unions were like angels sent from up above to protect the common person, to insure children would survive, to create a better society for all. The first union founded in America struggled to achieve what they fought for, as the union became stronger so did the monopolies running America. This Union was called the National Labor Union. It seemed like this union winning any sort of battle was as unlikely as the Patriots winning the revolutionary war. Over years of persuasion and persistence the National Labor Union was able to create a difference. In 1873 the first battle was won, the NLU influenced Congress into creating an 8 hour day for federal workers. After all their painstakingly hard work for this small victory many government agencies reduced wages. It seemed as if it was one step forward two steps back for anyone involved in this un...

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...union, but without the number of unions pushing for better our country still may have been ruled by monopolies today. Every union had their own purpose, but much like a puzzle they fit together making a glorious picture instead of a jumbled mess. Unions helped shape the United States almost as much as natural resources and innovative minds.

Without the AFL, Knights of Labor, and the NLU our country would have been destroyed in the late 1800’s. Power hungry leaders would have allowed the workforce of our country to become crippled instead of thinking about the greater good for our society. We owe our thanks to these three unions for paving the way for future generations. Without unions our nation could never reach its full potential and become such a world influence as it is today. Unions are one of the reason we can still truly call ourselves the land of the free.