The Bay View Labor Tragedy: Taking a Stand for the Eight ...

The Bay View Labor Tragedy:

Taking a Stand for the Eight Hour Day and How it Shaped the Labor Movement in

America

Kent P. Manion

2493 words

Junior Division

Research Paper

2

There is a monument at the corner of South Superior Street and East Russell Avenue. It

stands in a peaceful park in Bay View, Wisconsin and calls us to remember the turmoil,

suppression, bloodshed, pain and perseverance of laborers in America. It memorializes the

workers who took a stand on May 5, 1886 in Bay View to fight for the eight hour work day.

Their vision, valor and sacrifice were instrumental in inspiring laborers to organize themselves

into a larger, more united group so that they could empower themselves to improve the lives of

American laborers.

The late nineteenth century was the era of big business in America. It was a time of rapid

industrial growth and fights for domination by large industrial corporations.1 This resulted in

monopolization, price-fixing and wage-fixing. Industrial companies needed workers in their

factories so they hired Americans and also hired contractors to go to poor areas of other countries

such as Poland, Germany and Italy to import laborers with promises of good wages and a good

life.2 The immigrants had dreams of becoming American citizens and enjoying the “American

Standard of Living”.3 However, these immigrants arrived and found that their contracts, working

conditions and living conditions were oppressive and poor. Contractors were being paid fifty

cents per day per imported immigrant worker4, about twelve dollars per day in modern dollars.

5

This suggested that the immigrant workers were paid even less than that. Many of them were

living in crowded shelters housing eight to twelve people in rooms measuring eight by twelve

1 Pyx, Stephen, Milwaukee’s Fight for the Eight Hour Workday,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QQ5f2ChJ9l 2 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine

Workers of America, New York, NY, Pages 66-69 3 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal

Interview 4 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine

Workers of America, New York, NY, Pages 66-69 5 Knights of Labor

3

feet.6 Laborers worked long hours in unsafe conditions and thousands died as a result. This

evolution was unfolding in cities across the country including Milwaukee, Wisconsin.7

Milwaukee’s progress during that time period was reflective of the massive

industrialization and immigration occurring in America. Various industries including meat

packing, tanning, beer brewing, flour milling and many others thrived. The steel industry grew

immensely due to the discovery of iron-ore in Dodge County, Wisconsin. Iron manufacturing

facilities were rapidly emerging.8 The Milwaukee Iron Company, a large steel mill, was

established in 1868 in Bay View. It became the region’s largest employer. By 1885 it employed

more than 1,500 people.9 It produced iron products and rail for the expanding railroads.

10 The

population grew rapidly in large part due to the influx of immigrants11

making Milwaukee the

nineteenth largest city in the country by 1880.12

Laborers working in industry comprised 44.6

percent of the local work force. This was the sixth highest concentration amongst urban areas in

the nation.13

Consistent with other areas of the country, working conditions were oppressive.14

Industrial workers in Milwaukee were making about $2.15 per hour in modern dollars.

Machines had open central drive shafts with open belts posing constant risk of injury. Flour mills

were thick with grain dust. Iron mills reached 160 degree heat. Laborers typically worked in

6 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine

Workers of America, New York, NY, Pages 66-69 7 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal

Interview 8 Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee History, History Comes to Life

9 Gurda, John, The Making of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee, WI, Pages

114-115 10

Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee History, History Comes to Life 11

Gurda, John, The Making of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee, WI, Pages

130-131 12

U.S. Bureau of the Census, Population of the 100 Largest Urban Places: 1880 13

Gurda, John, The Making of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee, WI, Page

128 14

Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee,

Personal Interview

4

these brutal conditions at least ten hours per day six days per week.15

As time went on they were

desperate for change.16

The eight hour work day became a common goal for the working class.17

Efforts had

been made in Wisconsin to limit the work day to eight hours by passing legislation to

accommodate this but it was not being enforced. Laborers learned that they must come together

and take a stand to try to help themselves because the law did not.18

Growth of individual trade unions was extensive during this time period because with

industrial progress came the increased need for skilled labor. Skilled labor was at a shortage so

trade unions such as the Coal Heavers, Shoemakers, Butchers and others grew stronger.19

It was

also a time of laborers grouping together throughout the country, some through a national labor

organization called the Knights of Labor.20

Involvement in unions was often risky. Union-

busters with spies and strike breakers such as the Pinkerton Agency were hired by corporations

to break up unions, condemn labor leaders and deliberately create violence to undermine the

labor movement. This was not their only challenge because community leaders were in collusion

against unions.21

Wealthy bankers and industrialists donated large amounts of money to political parties,

churches and colleges. Their generous gifts led to collaboration between the corporations and

15 Gurda, John, The Making of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee, WI, Pages

147-148 16

Ozanne, Robert W., The Labor Movement In Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin,

Madison, WI, Page 6 17









Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine

Workers of America, New York, NY, Page 68

5

these organizations. These groups supported the trusts the big businesses formed. Pastors

preached that trusts were favorable and in line with God’s laws. Professors suggested that

violence against organized laborers was unavoidable. These views were widely published by the

press.22

The working class and immigrants were frequently condemned by the media, especially

when they were striking or speaking out for better conditions such as the eight hour work day.

They were described by journalists as “brutal creatures” and “European scum” with rabid ideas.

Violent threats against the working class were frequently published in newspapers. Union

members were ridiculed, persecuted and blacklisted. Involvement in organized labor was

accompanied by great risk to the workers’ safety, reputation and employment. The unrest

amongst laborers continued to escalate.23

This turmoil and poor treatment created energy among the laborers. These feelings

sparked a growing movement within the country to stand up together against these injustices.24

The Knights of Labor established local assemblies of workers across the country and promoted

platforms for change. They helped increase the momentum of the labor movement by including

workers of all levels and setting a common goal in 1884 of procurement of the eight hour work

day.25

The New York Times declared the movement “un-American” and stated that “labor

disturbances are brought about by foreigners”.26

Wisconsin was a mainstay of the Knights of

22 Boyer, Richard O. and Morais, Herbert M., Labor’s Untold Story, United Electrical, Radio and Machine

Workers of America, New York, NY, Page 69 23


Workers of America, New York, NY, Pages 69-72 24

Ozanne , Robert W., The Labor Movement In Wisconsin, Page 8 25

Gurda, John, The Making of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee, WI, Pages

149-150 26


Workers of America, New York, NY, Page 88

6

Labor27

and this eight hour day movement prompted the first general strike in the history of the

the city of Milwaukee.28

The massacre that followed is often referred to as the Bay View Labor

Tragedy.

By May 1, 1886 7,000-15,000 Milwaukee area laborers including carpenters, railroad

workers, broommakers, and others were on strike. The main goal was the establishment of the

eight hour work day.29

We mean to make things over; We’re tired of toil for nought; But bare enough to live on;

Never an hour for thought; We want to feel the sunshine; We want to smell the flowers;

We’re sure that God has willed it; And we mean to have eight hours; We’re summoning

our forces from shipyard, shop and mill; Eight hours for work, eight hours for rest; Eight

hours for what we will!30

On May 2 a big labor parade and picnic occurred without incident and ended in the

Milwaukee Garden. Marchers enjoyed bratwursts and beer along with multiple impassioned

speeches.31

Why should labor fill the world with wealth and live in want? Every labor saving

machine should help the whole world. Everyone should shorten the hours of labor.

Reasonable labor is a source of joy. To work for wife and child, to toil for those you love

is happiness, provided you can make them happy. But to work like a slave, to see your

wife and children in rags, to sit at a table where food is coarse and scarce, to rise at four

in the morning to work all day and throw your tired bones on your miserable bed at night,

to live without leisure, without rest, without making those you love comfortable and

happy, this is not living, it is dying, a slow, lingering crucifixion.32

27 Gurda, John, The Making of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee, WI, Page

150 28

Paul, Barbara & Justus, The Badger State, William B. Erdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI,

Pages 345-346 29


Pages 345-346 30


Workers of America, New York, NY, Page 88 31

Pyx, Stephen, Milwaukee’s Fight for the Eight Hour Workday,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QQ5f2ChJ9l 32

Union Pacific Employees’ Magazine, Volume 1

7

On May 3 some strikers marched to the Reliance Iron Works factory in Milwaukee

expecting laborers there to join them. However they instead pushed the marchers back by

spraying them with water. The police came and started hitting the strikers with clubs and they

dispersed.33

The city was frightened. Governor Jeremiah Rusk was called in and troops of militia

were on alert. The next day the Haymarket Riot occurred in Chicago and in Milwaukee about

1,000 strikers marched to the Bay View rolling mill. As tension escalated, a train of militia

arrived and fired shots into the air and the crowd disbanded. However, the militia camped at Bay

View that night and were given orders to “shoot to kill” if the strikers returned.34

On May 5 about 1,500 laborers and onlookers went back to the rolling mill in Bay

View.35

Observers reported that they appeared to be unarmed with the exception of a few

marchers who were holding sticks and stones. As they approached within about a quarter of a

mile of the mill, Major Traeumer, the leader of the militia stationed on a hill in front of the mill

ordered and signaled them to halt. The striking workers kept pushing forward and when within

about 200 yards, possibly more, they were again ordered and signaled to stop. From that distance

they did not appear to hear the commands or see the hand signals and when they didn’t stop the

militia fired into the crowd of protestors. The crowd fell to the ground and retreated.36

Seven

people were killed and the momentum of the eight hour work day movement was gone.37

Peace has arrived in Bay View. One person said ‘the backbone is broke.’ The troops had

been unmolested. The Governor came along with the Light Horse Brigade. The troops,

33 Paul, Barbara & Justus, The Badger State, William B. Erdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, MI,

Pages 345-346 34


Pages 345-346 35

Wisconsin Historical Society Website; 36

Nesbit, Robert C., The History of Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI,

Pages 402-404 37

Wisconsin Historical Society Website;

8

along with Major Traeumer, presented arms. The Governor praised them for their

conduct.38

At the time of this event in history, the abandonment of the eight hour work day quest

was an immediate effect of the tragedy that had occurred.39

The workers went back to work

without achieving their goal.40

The militia troops were found to be blameless by the coroner’s

jury.41

Almost 50 demonstrators were charged and arrested and many of the leaders were

imprisoned.42

The unions had trouble staying active because of the bad publicity associated with

the tragedy in Milwaukee. This was further exacerbated by demonstrations in other cities such as

the Haymarket Riot in Chicago. This sentiment prevailed through the 1890s. However laborers

learned, strategized and persevered.43

As a result of the Bay View Labor Tragedy the workers realized that they should try to

gain power in the political arena to try to get better laws passed which would make their work

life better.44

They continued to share goals of shorter hours, higher wages and safer working

conditions for not just union workers but for all workers and their families. Subsequently the

People’s Party was formed that year. In the fall elections of 1886 in Wisconsin, the People’s

Party won the congressional seat for Milwaukee. They also won most of the Milwaukee County

offices, a state assembly seat and six out of twelve assembly seats for Milwaukee County.

38 Kreilein, Sylvester L., Der Herold, (A German Newspaper),May 7, 1886, Wauwatosa, WI

39 Germanson, Kenneth, President Emeritus, Wisconsin Labor History Society, Personal Interview

40 Gurda, John, The Making of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee, WI, Page

155 41

Coroners Jury Report 42

Gurda, John, The Making of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County Historical Society, Milwaukee, WI, Page

156 43


Personal Interview 44


Personal Interview

9

Finally, they won the county sheriff seat. These were encouraging victories amidst the setbacks

of the tragedy that year.45

In the long term, the legacy of the laborers who took a stand in Bay View is much

broader. Their experience influenced workers to realize that they had to organize more

strategically and become stronger by creating a larger more united group. Through such

endeavors they could exhibit solidarity and generate the power to execute change.46

In 1886 the

American Federation of Labor (AFL) was formed.47

This was a national federation composed of

skilled laborers such as the masons, cigar makers and hat makers and it grew in the years that

followed.48

Because the members were skilled laborers, they had some bargaining power when

negotiating with employers because the employers needed their skills in order to run their

businesses. In 1936 the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) was established and

represented industrial workers such as steel and auto workers.49

The two organizations merged

in 1955 to create the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-

CIO). The coming together of laborers in this manner first in separate groups and then as one

unified force potentiated change.50

As laborers excelled in their ability to unite, they gained the strength and leverage needed

to improve the lives of workers.51

In 1890 the eight hour work day was passed for the carpenters

and this was eventually followed by the Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938, which established the

45 Nesbit, Robert C., The History of Wisconsin, The State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, WI,

Page 410 46

Germanson, Kenneth, President Emeritus, Wisconsin Labor History Society, Personal Interview 47

Encyclopedia Britannica, online 48

USHistory.org, 37d. American Federation of Labor 49



Encyclopedia Britannica, online 51

Germanson, Kenneth, President Emeritus, Wisconsin Labor History Society, Personal Interview

10

first minimum wage and the forty hour work week.52

The eight hour work day was finally a

reality for American laborers. This was one of many successful initiatives made real through

their efforts.

The organized labor federations which evolved after the Bay View Labor Tragedy

secured many other rights and needs for American workers as well. In 1898 the Erdmen Act

prohibited discrimination against union members. In 1900 the United States Industrial Union

declared trade unions to be good for democracy. In 1912 the Department of Labor was formed to

promote the welfare, benefits and rights of workers in the United States.53

In 1911 Wisconsin

secured the first constitutional statute for Workers’ Compensation.54

This was followed in 1916

with the Federal Employees’ Compensation Act which provided wage replacement and medical

benefits to employees injured while working.55

In 1935 the Social Security Act was passed to

help ensure workers would have a continuing income to sustain themselves after retirement. In

1970 the Occupational Safety and Health Act was passed to help keep work environments safe

and protect workers from injury in the work place. It also focused on keeping workers healthy.56

These are only a few of the many groundbreaking accomplishments that were steeped in the

courage, bloodshed and pain of the laborers in the Bay View Labor Tragedy.

The legacy of the workers who took a stand in the Bay View Labor Tragedy is intimately

intertwined in the daily existence of working men and women of today and in the lives of their

families. Their unwavering determination to march into the face of danger to help themselves,

their families and their fellow laborers influenced and inspired laborers to evolve in their ability

52 AFL-CIO, Labor History Timeline

53 UNITED STATRES DEPT OF LABOR, Frequently Asked Questions, http://webapps.dot.gov/dolfaq/go-

dol-faq-asp?faqid=478 54

LEXIS NEXIS, Alan Pierce, Workers’ Compensation in the United States: The First 100 Years 55

Nordlund, Willis J, The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act; Monthly Labor Review September

1991, Bureau of Labor Statistics 56

AFL-CIO, Labor History Timeline

11

to unite, organize and advocate. This innovation ultimately led to the formation of the American

Federation of Laborers-Congress of Industrial Organizations, whose mission is to bring fairness

and dignity to the workplace.57

This is the longest standing and most influential labor

organization in the history of the United States. It is still in existence today.

This evolution of the organization of labor has empowered laborers to work together to

secure legislation to promote fair wages, more humane working hours, insurance for job related

injuries, retirement income, safer and healthier work environments and many other benefits. It

continues to be the driving force in guiding laborers to fight for and establish laws to protect

workers in America. 58

The vision, courage and sacrifice of the workers who took a stand at the

Bay View Labor Tragedy in 1886 inspired laborers to persevere, unite, organize and succeed.

This legacy of organized labor is fundamental and essential to the many policies now established

and being established which protect the American laborers of today.59

“The labor movement was the principal force that transformed misery and despair into hope and

progress.”-Dr. Martin Luther King

57 AFL-CIO, Our Mission and Vision

58 Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee,


Professor Emeritus, Gordon, Michael, Professor of History University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Personal

Interview

12

Appendix 1

Map of the Bay View rolling mill location in Bay View, Wisconsin. From Bay View

Compass.com

13

Appendix 2

The Bay View rolling mill. From Bay View Compass.com

14

Appendix 3

Drawing of the Bay View rolling mills. From Bay View Compass.com

15

Appendix 4

Bay View Tragedy Monument on South Superior Street and East Russell Avenue in Bay

View, Wisconsin. From Wisconsin Historical Markers.com

16

Annotated Bibliography

Primary Sources

"Bay View Rolling Mills." Wisconsin Historical Society. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.

This is a picture of the Bay View rolling mill. It gave me a greater understanding

of the setting in which the tragedy occurred.

Chapter 103 Employment Regulations, 1-38 (2017) (enacted). Print.

This document demonstrated the many different labor laws in effect today to help

and protect laborers. Its length and detail helped me appreciate the vast and

complex accomplishments of the labor movement.

Der Herold 1 May 1886

This is a German newspaper that gave an account of what was happening at that

time Milwaukee as workers were striking and preparing to strike. It helped put in

perspective the broadness of the quest for the eight hour day which did not

include just the rolling mill workers but many other trades and workers in

Milwaukee.


This edition of the German newspaper provided detailed accounts of what was

happening with the different strikes in Milwaukee. It demonstrated that many of

the strikers were in pursuit of not just the eight hour work day but higher wages as

well.


This edition of the German newspaper included detailed accounts of what was

happening in Milwaukee with the strikes. It conveyed the feelings of tension and

concern that were escalating in the community as the strike proceedings

continued.


This edition of the German newspaper had more entries about what was

happening in Milwaukee with the laborers. It helped give even more depth to the

feelings of tension including the disagreement between the laborers themselves on

how to proceed.


17

This edition of the German newspaper was about twice as long as the previous

editions. It provided coverage about the Haymarket Riot in Chicago as well as

detailed accounts of events in Milwaukee regarding the Bay View Labor Tragedy.

It gave me an understanding of the chaos that was occurring in the city in the

aftermath.


This edition of the German newspaper continued on with an account of the unrest

in Milwaukee in the days after the massacre. It was interesting that the Herold

itself posted an article sharing its position in support for what the militia did and

theorized that they prevented greater bloodshed.


This edition of the newspaper gave more accounts of all that was happening in the

aftermath of the tragedy. It was insightful but not surprising based on my research

that it had an entry about the militia were honored for their actions against the

strikers.

"The Federal Employees" Compensation Act." Rev. of Monthly Labor Review. (n.d.): n. pag.

Print.

This was an article in a monthly labor review. It helped me understand a lot about

Workers’ Compensation and how it came to be.

Fricke, Charles. Inquisition. 8 May 1886. Corners jury report. Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

This was the actual coroner’s document. It was handwritten and was insightful

because it showed that within 3 days of the shooting the militia and their leader

were already held blameless in the deaths.

Fricke, Charles. Subpoena. 7 May 1886. Subpoena from the Milwaukee County Coroner.

Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

This was the actual order for some of the involved men to appear in court to

testify on May 8. It was partly hand written and was interesting to see the actual

document.

Hinton, John W. Workingmen and the Tariff. Wisconsin, Milwaukee. 31 Jan. 1880. Address.

This is an address that was given to the laborers on tariffs in Puddler’s Hall, a

union hall where the Puddlers and Boilers met. I was able to visit Puddler’s Hall

and bring the history to life a little more by being right there where the

Milwaukee Iron Company Puddlers and Boilers met.

18

"Milwaukee Iron Company." Milwaukee Iron Company : The Bay View Compass. N.p., n.d. Web.

10 Feb. 2017.

This was a picture that gave me an idea of how the now torn down mill looked in

the 1880’s and its location within Bay View. It helped me understand that the mill

was huge and I could appreciate its placement on the hill.

""Our Mission and Vision"." AFL-CIO. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.

This was a webpage that shared part of the AFL-CIO’s constitution reflecting its

mission. It was interesting that it echoed some of the basic ideas the workers

shared in their speeches during the movement for the eight hour day.

United States. Bureau of the Census. Population of the 100 Largest Urban Places: 1880. N.p.:

n.p., n.d. Web.

This gave population numbers for different cities in the United States in 1880. It

helped me understand how Milwaukee compared in terms of size and how the

events in Milwaukee could impact the rest of the country.

"United States Department of Labor: Frequently Asked Questions." United States Department of

Labor: Frequently Asked Questions. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Mar. 2017.

This site provided some basic framework about the Department of Labor. It

helped me understand its role in supporting the workers of America.

STAT 275.01, 35 (1957 and 1967) (enacted). Print.

This showed the law that granted one day of rest in every 7. It seemed very short

and simple considering how much effort was invested in making it a law.

http://wisconsinhistoricalmarkers.blogspot.com/2012/10/marker-275-bay-views-rolling-mill.html

This was a picture of the monument. I was able to go see it and the park is so

calm. After all the time I spent researching the event it was nice to be able to go to

the area where it was occurring and reflect about it all.

Secondary Sources

"American History." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.

This was a website. It helped explain the American Federation of Labor’s

structure and philosophy.

19

"1886: The Bay View Massacre." Libcom.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

This was a website and had a good overview. It told the basic story about how the

massacre happened and also broke it down into sections of what happened on

each of the different days.

"Bay View Tragedy." Wisconsin Labor History Society. Web. 15 Dec. 2016.

This site had a really good overview about the Bay View Massacre. It also listed

many primary sources. I used it a lot as resource for finding resources.

Boyer, Richard Owen, and Herbert M. Morais. Labor's Untold Story. New York: United

Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers of America, 1972.

This book had a lot of good information. It described the details of the eight hour

day goal, the risks that the strikers took by being involved and the terrible

conditions for the workers.

Germanson, Kenneth. Telephone Interview. 6 February 2017 and 1 March 2017

Mr. Germanson is Professor Emeritus for the Wisconsin Labor History Society

and has been a labor leader and longtime advocate for workers’ rights. I

interviewed him by phone when generating my paper for school. When I made it

to the regional level I kept researching and then I had more questions and I

interviewed him again. It really helped to have the opportunity to ask questions

and gain a deeper understanding through this personal interaction.

Gordon, Michael. Telephone Interview. 6 February 2017 and 1 March 2017

Dr. Gordon is a Professor Emeritus of History at University of Wisconsin

Milwaukee with research interests in the history of American labor. I interviewed

him twice as well, once for my school project and then again for the regional

competition. It was interesting how the more answers I got with my research, the

more questions I had and so it was really helpful to have the opportunity to

interview him twice.

Gurda, John. The Making of Milwaukee. Milwaukee, WI: Milwaukee County Historical Society,

2008. Print.

This was the last book I used and it was a great way to gain a deeper

understanding of details and the times. I mainly focused on chapters four and five.

It was really helpful and there were so many pictures to support all that I was

learning. I hope to go see some of the buildings in the pictures to add to my

perspective because I will see them in a whole different way now.

20

The "Labor History Timeline." AFL-CIO. N.p., n.d. Web. 5 Mar. 2017.

This was an online timeline. It gave a great overview of the historical events of

the labor movement starting in the1600s and progressing through time to the

present.

"Milwaukee History." Milwaukee Timeline. N.p., n.d. Web

This was a resource on the Milwaukee County Historical Society website. It had a

great overview of the history of Milwaukee in the 1800’s and some good pictures.

Milwaukee Notebook. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Feb. 2017.

This website told about the story of the massacre gave some helpful facts. It also

helped with primary sources.

Ozanne, Robert W. The Labor Movement in Wisconsin: A History. Madison, WI: State

Historical Society of Wisconsin, 1984.

This described the history of unions in Wisconsin as well as many facts about the

Bay View Tragedy events and the 8 hour day movement. It was a very important

resource for me when trying to understand more about the unions.

Paul, Justus F., and Barbara Dotts. Paul. The Badger State: A Documentary History of

Wisconsin. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979.

This book described the first 5 days of May 1886 in great detail. It helped me

understand the massacre better by understanding the details of the preceeding

days as well.

Thompson, William Fletcher. The History of Wisconsin. Madison: State Historical Society of

Wisconsin, 1985. Print.

This book gave a good overview of unions in Wisconsin, the events of the Bay

View Tragedy and the immediate effects. It also had some great pictures of

Milwaukee during the 1880s.

"American History." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.

This helped explained the American Federation of Labor’s structure and

philosophy.

Wealth, The Conference on Research in Income and. "Trends in the American Economy in the

Nineteenth Century." NBER. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Apr. 2017.

21

This was an assessment of the economy in the 1880’s and helped me put the wage

numbers in perspective.

"Wisconsin Historical Society." Wisconsin Historical Society. Web. 20 Dec. 2016.

This site was a really good source for learning about at the event almost 1 years

after it happened.

Wisconsin - Links To The Past Genealogy. Web. 19 Dec. 2016.

This website was a helpful reference for gaining a good overview of the event as

well as providing a day by day account of what happened. It also referenced some

good primary sources.

"Workers' Compensation in the United States: The First 100 Years." N.p., n.d. Web.

This was an online article. It helped me learn about Workers’ Compensation and

how it evolved.

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