The 1920s, 1930s, 1940s were pivotal decades for workers and their unions in the United States. At the height of the economy of the Roaring Twenties, the possibilities for unions and working-class political activism seemed to be at an all-time low. However, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, workers began to rebuild the labor movement, and many unions consolidated their gains during World War II in the 1940s. What were some of the major developments and events that created the possibilities for unions to grow in the 1930s and 1940s? In what ways was union power still limited? How did the growth of the labor movement affect workers and their employers? Were all workers able to share equally in the growth of the labor movement?
Write a 4 to 5-page, double-spaced paper in 12-point font that addresses the questions posed above. Be sure to base your claims on the assigned readings, documents, and other materials covered in class during weeks 9 through 14. You should use some combination of the textbook chapters, book excerpts, and primary source documents assigned during those weeks. The following documentary films are also good sources. We will watch some parts of these films in class, but you may use any part of them in your paper:
Else, Jon, dir. The Great Depression: A Job at Fords. 1993; PBS Video.
The Great Depression 1 – A job at Ford’s (Links to an external site.)
The Great Depression 1 – A job at Ford’s
James, Dante, dir. The Great Depression: Mean Things Happening. 1993; PBS Video.
The Great Depression – Episode 5: Mean Things Happening (HISTORY DOCUMENTARY) (Links to an external site.)
The Great Depression – Episode 5: Mean Things Happening (HISTORY DOCUMENTARY)
Minott, Berry, dir. Harry Bridges: A Man and His Union. 1992; MW Productions, in association with KQED.
Harry Bridges: A Man and His Union (Links to an external site.)
Harry Bridges: A Man and His Union
Gray, Lorraine, dir. With Babies and Banners: Story of the Womens Emergency Brigade. 1977; Womens Labor History Film Project and New Day Films.
With Babies and Banners: Story of the Women’s Emergency Brigade (1979) (Links to an external site.)
With Babies and Banners: Story of the Women’s Emergency Brigade (1979)
Field, Connie, dir. The Life and Times of Rosie the Riveter. 1980; Clarity Films. https://stream.libraries.rutgers.edu/commercial/Life_and_times_of_Rosie_the_riveter.mp4/ (Links to an external site.)
Your paper should not mention every possible example from these materials, but adequately analyze and discuss the examples you choose.
Your paper should follow standard grammar, punctuation, and citation methods (APA, MLA, or Chicago). Citation guides are in a module on Canvas.
