Artisans into Workers: Labor in Nineteenth-Century America

American Century Series

by Bruce Laurie

In the only modern study synthesizing nineteenth-century American labor
history, Bruce Laurie examines the character of working-class factionalism, plebian expectations of government, and relations between the organized few and the unorganized many. Laurie also examines the republican tradition and the movements that drew on it, from the General Trades Unions in the age of Jackson to the Knights of Labor later in the century.
 

Genres: History, Labor, American History, Nonfiction, 19th Century

272 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1989

Reviews

[Murray Katkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exemplary history of American workers in the 19th century. The transition from an agrarian and craft guild based labor system to a system of dependent wage labor is detailed wonderfully. A reader could not ask for more out of a book. The length is deceptive; its brevity does not result in any lack of depth. Highly recommend to all who want to understand the plight of the American worker then and now

[Poppy · Rating 2 out of 5]

good content but can this guy PLEASE add a citation. bffr

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent survey of working-class identity and movements in the 19th century. Not entirely up to date (from 1989) but still a good introduction focusing on major figures, ideas and organizations in labor history, as well as the historical arguments of labor historians. "A nation that thrived on limited government turned out to be singularly intolerant of organized labor."

[Robshelton365 · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best overviews of labor in the 19th century.