Test #4 Essay
Part III. Essay. Answer the following in the space below. Be sure to write in paragraph form. Use complete sentences and answer
as fully as possible in the space allotted. (20 points total).
Write a three-part, multiple paragraph essay. A minimum of three paragraphs is required.
In the first section discuss labor unions including their history. What is their primary goal and how do they hope to achieve it? You
may write as many paragraphs as necessary for this. (10 points)
In the second section discuss the importance of labor legislation. Include at least 2 examples of legislation that gave rights to workers
and at least 1 that took some power away from unions. Use the document “Thoughts on Labor Unions” to determine which acts to
use. Be specific about the name of the act and what the legislation did. (5 points)
In the third section, discuss the impact of unions on the economy in regard to wages, prices, productivity and their political impact.
Again, be specific and write as many paragraphs as necessary. (5 points)
The history of labor unions dates back mostly to the mid 1800’s. Throughout the colonial era there was
not much activity amongst labor unions because they were illegal, and farming was the primary job. Once the
industrial revolution began a lot of the conditions and situations regarding work began to change. Technology
became more advanced along with changing working conditions. The first labor union, The Knights of Labor,
