How Did The Triangle Shirtwaist Industrial Revolution

The growth of large, booming cities and increasing numbers of innovative ideas and technologies were characteristic of America entering the twentieth century. These cities, such as Detroit and New York City, were centers for industrial progress in which factories were mass producing goods at unprecedented rates. Along with this rapid progress, however, came issues for the wealth of Americans. Not only was the divide between the rich and the poor increasing, but immigrants influxing from Southern Europe chasing after the American Dream posed a threat. Factories wanted cheap laborers to increase their profit and productivity rate frightening Americans who didn’t want to be out of work. The arrival of these immigrants created a sense of nationalism

For example, Von Drehle cites that when Blanck and Harris went into business they “coincided precisely with the maturing of the garment industry” (72). This would allow the owners to make billions of dollars on their way to the top of the clothing industry. This progress, however, could not have happened without modern factories and the people working in them. These workers were treated with a lack of respect and with brutality by their managers, especially those who chose to join Unions to fight for better conditions. Conflicts between the management and workers would erupt frequently and often became violent. To illustrate this brutality, Von Drehle tells the story of Charles Rose who was hired to attack those who went against factory rules and management. He then introduces a factory worker named Clara Lemlich who initiated a strike against a popular women’s blouse company. He reveals the corruption of the city when he says the police were “not surprised to see notorious hoodlums moonlighting as strikebreakers” as Rose and his gang attacked and beat Clara for the uprising (27). Women like Clara faced oppression and often the worst working conditions. They were trying to fight for their rights in a society ruled by men and industry. This brutality that women, such as Clara, faced was only used as drive for their cause. Clara later participated in another strike despite the abuse she recently faced and was proud to fight for better conditions and treatment. Factory owners dehumanized and controlled their workers by tactics such as yellow dog contracts, prohibiting workers from joining unions, and blacklists that vwould prevent radical workers from finding work elsewhere. These steps were taken by management to prevent strikes at all costs because they were at risk having