At first glance, it would seem only logical that the explosion of the American economy during the Gilded Age would require large numbers of immigrants to fill out the labor force, and that the burgeoning labor force would seek to organize itself for its own benefit.

At first glance, it would seem only logical that the explosion of the American economy during the Gilded Age would require large numbers of immigrants to fill out the labor force, and that the burgeoning labor force would seek to organize itself for its own benefit. Yet immigration and labor organizationespecially the attempt at unionizationwere highly controversial, even explosive, issues in Gilded Age America. Why was this the case? What were the connotations and implications of immigration and unionization that caused these issues to transcend basic questions of supply-and-demand and employee-employer interaction? In this essay, be sure to address how supporters and opponents of immigration (i.e. Social Darwinists) articulated their views. Also, show awareness of how immigration patterns changed over the course of the late 19th century. Along these lines, show awareness of the evolving patterns and ideologies of labor organization, and the ways in which government and business leaders reacted to them.

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