Haymarket Affair 1886: Labor Violence Chicago — Reading Comprehension

The Haymarket Affair took place in Chicago on May 4, 1886, during a time of major conflict between American workers and business owners. Workers across the nation were organizing to demand an eight-hour workday, fair pay, and safer workplace conditions. In Chicago, thousands of workers joined a strike to support these demands. Business owners and city officials viewed the strike as a threat to economic stability and public order. This tension set the stage for one of the most controversial episodes in U.S. labor history.

Workers’ efforts to organize were often met with resistance from employers and the police. Many business leaders believed that unions would disrupt production and reduce their profits. Police were frequently called to break up strikes and demonstrations, leading to violence and arrests. On May 3, 1886, police fired on striking workers at the McCormick Reaper Works, killing several people. This tragic incident further increased anger and resentment among workers and their supporters, including a group of radical anarchists who opposed government and business control over workers’ lives.

A protest rally was organized at Haymarket Square the next evening to condemn police violence and advocate for workers’ rights. The event began peacefully, with speeches calling for justice. As the rally was ending, a bomb exploded among the police officers sent to monitor the crowd. Eight officers were killed, and many others were injured. Police responded by firing into the crowd, causing chaos and more casualties. The identity of the person who threw the bomb remains unknown, creating controversy about responsibility for the tragedy.

In the aftermath, authorities blamed labor leaders and anarchists. Eight men were arrested and tried, even though there was little evidence directly linking them to the bombing. During the trial, the prosecution argued, “If these men are not responsible, there is lawlessness in Chicago.” This statement reflected the fear among officials and the public that organized labor could lead to disorder. Defense lawyers insisted that the men were being punished for their ideas, not their actions. The trial resulted in death sentences for several defendants, but the fairness of the proceedings was widely questioned.

Different groups interpreted the Haymarket Affair in very different ways. Many workers and labor activists saw the event as proof of their struggle for justice and the dangers they faced in seeking fair treatment. Police and business leaders viewed the violence as evidence of the threat posed by radical groups and the need for strict law enforcement. The public was divided, with newspapers providing competing stories about what happened and who was to blame. The event became a symbol of both the risks and the hopes of the labor movement.

The Haymarket Affair had lasting consequences for American society. It led to a crackdown on unions and the spread of anti-immigrant sentiment, since many labor leaders were immigrants. At the same time, it inspired future generations to continue fighting for workers’ rights. Internationally, the date of May 1 became known as International Workers’ Day, recognizing the ongoing struggle for labor rights. The Haymarket Affair demonstrates the complexity of social change, showing how demands for reform can lead to both progress and conflict.

Interesting Fact: The Haymarket Martyrs’ Monument in Chicago is now a National Historic Landmark, and every year, people from around the world visit to honor the fight for workers’ rights.

Where did the Haymarket Affair happen?

What year did the Haymarket Affair occur?

What did workers demand in 1886?

Why did police fire on workers at McCormick?

What was the main effect of the bomb?

What does the quote show about the trial?

The Haymarket Affair inspired May 1 as Workers’ Day. True or false?

What is a 'strike'?