The Birth of the Labor Movement
Wisconsin's workers and reformers made significant contributions to the history of labor in the United States, helping to enact legislation such as workers' compensation and unemployment insurance that served as models for similar laws in other states. The study of labor history itself also began in Wisconsin when University of Wisconsin economist John R. Commons set out to document the history of work and labor in America at the turn of the twentieth century. Commons and his associates also joined labor leaders, the business community, and politicians to bring about some of Wisconsin's groundbreaking social policies.
The evolution of Wisconsin's... more...
Original Documents and Other Primary Sources
![Link to article: Milwaukee's mayor looks back on the Bay View Riot of 1886](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Milwaukee's mayor looks back on the Bay View Riot of 1886 |
![Link to article: A Milwaukee worker recalls the labor movement's early years.](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A Milwaukee worker recalls the labor movement's early years. |
![Link to article: Woodworkers strike turns violent in Oshkosh, 1898](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Woodworkers strike turns violent in Oshkosh, 1898 |
![Link to article: A tariff advocate seeks worker support, 1880](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | A tariff advocate seeks worker support, 1880 |
![Link to article: An overview of Polish immigration through 1896](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | An overview of Polish immigration through 1896 |
![Link to article: The Sheboygan Press covers the strike in Kohler, 1934](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | The Sheboygan Press covers the strike in Kohler, 1934 |
![Link to article: Wisconsin Governor Jeremiah Rusk (1830-1893)](/turningpoints/images/article.gif) | Wisconsin Governor Jeremiah Rusk (1830-1893) |
![Link to book: Milwaukee trade unions organize to lobby for workers' rights](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Milwaukee trade unions organize to lobby for workers' rights |
![Link to book: A Labor Day souvenir from the 1900 celebration](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | A Labor Day souvenir from the 1900 celebration |
![Link to book: The many products of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, 1948](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | The many products of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, 1948 |
![Link to book: The National Labor Relations Board tries to settle the Kohler strike, 1934](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | The National Labor Relations Board tries to settle the Kohler strike, 1934 |
![Link to book: Kohler workers strike for Union recognition](/turningpoints/images/book.gif) | Kohler workers strike for Union recognition |
![Link to images: Pictures of strikes and lockouts, 1886-1970](/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Pictures of strikes and lockouts, 1886-1970 |
![Link to images: Photographs of the Bay View Rolling Mills](/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Photographs of the Bay View Rolling Mills |
![Link to images: Photographs of post-war Milwaukee labor activities](/turningpoints/images/images.gif) | Photographs of post-war Milwaukee labor activities |
![Link to manuscript: A Milwaukee brothel's account book, ca. 1910](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Milwaukee brothel's account book, ca. 1910 |
![Link to manuscript: A Progressive Era commission investigates vice, 1914](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | A Progressive Era commission investigates vice, 1914 |
![Link to manuscript: Working women describe their daily lives, 1914](/turningpoints/images/manuscript.gif) | Working women describe their daily lives, 1914 |