The Great Strike of 1877

The Great Strike of 1877 was a major labor uprising in the United States, sparked by wage cuts and poor working conditions among railroad workers. When railroad companies repeatedly lowered wages, workers responded with protests, which quickly spread across multiple states. It resulted in violent clashes between workers and authorities, disrupting transportation and commerce. The strike highlighted tensions between labor and capital during the Gilded Age, leading to increased awareness of workers’ rights and the need for labor reforms. Though it was eventually suppressed, it marked a significant moment in the history of American labor movements.