How did the Great Depression impact the labor movement?

History The Great Depression Questions



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How did the Great Depression impact the labor movement?

The Great Depression had a significant impact on the labor movement. It led to a sharp increase in unemployment rates, causing many workers to lose their jobs and struggle to find new employment. This resulted in a decline in union membership and weakened the bargaining power of labor unions. Additionally, the economic crisis created a climate of fear and desperation among workers, making it difficult for them to organize and demand better working conditions or higher wages. The government's response to the Great Depression also played a role in shaping the labor movement. The New Deal policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed to provide relief and recovery, including the establishment of labor laws that protected workers' rights and encouraged unionization. These policies helped to revitalize the labor movement and led to the growth of unions in various industries. Overall, the Great Depression had both negative and positive impacts on the labor movement, initially weakening it but ultimately leading to its revitalization and increased influence.