Cause Of Pullman's Economic Depression In The United States

In the years leading up to 1894, there was severe economic depression in the United States. Many workers were not being paid sufficient amounts to afford the high costs of living. In addition to not being paid enough, many workers were also being overworked and working ridiculous hours. In Chicago, Illinois, the Pullman Palace Car Company was doing both of these things to their workers. They expected their employees to live in the city of Pullman where there was limited options and high prices with little income. This began a nationwide railroad strike on May 11, 1894 led by the American Railway Union. Thousands of workers from 27 different states refused to work. Eugene V. Debs led the Pullman strike and was the head man of the American Railway Union. George M. Pullman was the boss of the Pullman Palace Car Company. The strike pitted the American Railway Union against the Pullman Car Company, along with railroads and the federal government. At this point, violent protests broke out all over the country.

Well, the Pullman Car Company began laying off workers and slashing the wages of others. This was all following the great panic of 1893 where many did not know what was happening to the economy and were losing money fast which caused many problems economically. Workers of the Pullman company were so fed up that the company was cutting their wages but did not bother to lower the prices of rent and living in the company's city. These workers decided to ban together and hence the American Railway Union was formed. The group of angry workers unanimously voted to strike against the