Triangle Company Fire

From the perspective of an American living in 1911 who has been following the news of the Triangle Factory Fire and its aftermath in your daily paper, tell me your reaction to the events. What action (if any) do you think should be taken?

As an American, I believe that the owners of the Triangle Company should be punished! These girls had no way of escaping the fire, and all the owners had to do was pay money?! Are you serious? The girls could not escape because the owners locked the doors. The owners said that they lock the doors so the girls don't steal anything. And when asked if they knew the doors were locked at the time of the fire, all they had to do was lie about it. If it was up to me, I would be shutting down their business.

How do the events of the Triangle Factory Fire and its aftermath tie in with what we've learned about the Progressive Era thus far?

The women unions are taking action by demanding safe working conditions so another fire where the workers cannot escape doesn't happen again. They are standing up for their own rights, and they want to get it done.

Unions having little success in 1871-1900

Explain why unions had little success during the period 1871-1900 in improving the economic and social position of U.S. workers.

• People believed that strikers were radical(terrorists). The bombing for the Haymarket Riot.
• When the strikers went on strike, companies could easily replace them. Ex. when the railroad workers were dissatisfied and went on strike, the railroad companies brought in new workers to replace them because the immigrants would work for a lower wage and for longer hours without complaing.
• The strikes were unsuccessful because the military (at some level) was able to step in and shut down the strikes. Ex. the railroad strike in Pittsburg. The militiamen were brought in to shut down the strike, but were unsuccessful. So President Hayes sent in the federal troops to put the violence to an end. Which successfully ended the strike.