Haymarket Affair

The Haymarket Affair: A Pivotal Moment in the Labor Movement

Background

On May 4, 1886, a labor demonstration in Chicago's Haymarket Square turned violent, sparking a national debate about workers' rights and immigration.

The demonstration was organized by anarchist groups to protest police brutality against striking workers.

As police attempted to disperse the crowd, a bomb exploded, killing several officers.

Aftermath

In the aftermath of the bombing, eight anarchists were arrested and charged with conspiracy.

Despite a lack of evidence linking them directly to the bombing, all eight were convicted and sentenced to death.

Legacy

The Haymarket Affair had a profound impact on the American labor movement.

It led to the formation of the American Federation of Labor (AFL) and helped to popularize the eight-hour workday.

It also fueled anti-immigration sentiment and contributed to the Red Scare of the early 20th century.

Timeline of Events

• May 1, 1886: Workers at the McCormick Reaper Works go on strike to demand an eight-hour workday.
• May 3, 1886: Police clash with strikers at the McCormick Reaper Works, killing four workers.
• May 4, 1886: Anarchists organize a rally in Haymarket Square to protest the police brutality.
• 7:30 PM: A bomb explodes in Haymarket Square, killing several police officers.
• 8:00 PM: Police arrest eight anarchists and charge them with conspiracy.
• August 20, 1886: Seven of the eight anarchists are convicted of conspiracy and sentenced to death.
• November 11, 1887: Four of the anarchists are hanged, and one commits suicide in prison.
• June 26, 1893: Governor John P. Altgeld pardons the three remaining anarchists.

Key Individuals

• Albert Parsons: A leading anarchist and editor of the newspaper The Alarm. He was one of the eight anarchists convicted of conspiracy.
• August Spies: A German immigrant and anarchist who was also convicted of conspiracy in the Haymarket Affair.
• Samuel Fielden: An English immigrant and anarchist who was convicted of conspiracy in the Haymarket Affair.
• Michael Schwab: A German immigrant and anarchist who was convicted of conspiracy in the Haymarket Affair.
• Oscar Neebe: A German immigrant and anarchist who was convicted of conspiracy in the Haymarket Affair.
• Louis Lingg: A German immigrant and anarchist who was convicted of conspiracy in the Haymarket Affair. He committed suicide in prison before he could be hanged.
• Adolph Fischer: A German immigrant and anarchist who was convicted of conspiracy in the Haymarket Affair.
• George Engel: A German immigrant and anarchist who was convicted of conspiracy in the Haymarket Affair.

Causes of the Haymarket Affair

• Rising tensions between labor and management
• Police brutality against striking workers
• The spread of anarchist ideas
• Anti-immigrant sentiment
• A lack of government regulation of the labor market

Conclusion

The Haymarket Affair was a watershed moment in American history.

It brought to a head the tensions between labor and management and highlighted the need for government regulation of the labor market.

It also contributed to the Red Scare of the early 20th century and fueled anti-immigrant sentiment.

The Haymarket Affair remains a reminder of the importance of workers' rights and the need for social justice.