This is a preliminary list. I will be adding to this list
as ideas come to mind.
· My best suggestion, if you are interested, is to join the research for the documentary I am producing on a major conflict in Illinois and national history. The trailer for it can be viewed at www.remembervirden.niu.edu . You are encouraged to consider a tiny aspect of this issue. You will be given a film credit for this if you complete any new research for us.
· Utilizing newspaper or other sources, explore one community's response to some of the major strikes or upheavals the course, such as the 1877 strike, 1886, Pullman strike, 1934 strikes, CIO. How did the local newspapers treat the event? Where did local support come from? Local critics? Local newspapers are available in the Regional History Center
· 1934 hunger march that sought to force the government to produce jobs for workers (included a Rockford contingent).
· Rockford labor struggles and issues, from the 19th century to the 1970s autoworkers concessions—there are some labor newspapers available, including one called
· Cherry Mine Disaster of 1909, (near LaSalle-Peru). This was the most serious industrial disaster for workers in U.S. history, and brought much change. There is a popular history book on this and one historical article, but much remains to be explored
· African-Americans and labor (African-Americans were imported to Freeport, Danville, and many other Illinois locations as strikebreakers. Explore the intersection of race and class in this context.)
· Explore the CIO’s postwar proposals in 1946, using convention proceedings.
· Explore the IWW’s strong roots in the Finnish community of DeKalb (there was an IWW hall here)
· Women in the GE plant in DeKalb (the GE plant still exists)
Explore the history of Latino migrants to the local area through the packinghouses and canneries in the area.
Another approach is to consider what is readily available in our library. Here is a preliminary list from
Selected Materials in the NIU Regional History Center (Founders’ Library) http://www.niulib.niu.edu/reghist/index.htm
Central Labor Union of Freeport Records, 1901-1983 (RC 177)
Elgin Trades Council Records, 1967-1979 (RC 153)
Rockford United Labor, AFL-CIO Records, 1942-1978 (RC 145)
Illinois National Guard, 3rd Regiment Collection, 1898-1916 (RC 204) --check to see if this regiment was used for strikebreaking
Explore one of the company records housed in the Regional History Center, such as the
Wurlitzer Company Records (DeKalb), 1860-1960 (RC 169) to see if they might have labor-related materials. For example, are there materials on scientific management or other strategies? Is there a file on a strike?
Microfilm collections available on labor history topics
in the Founders’ Library --browse the
index to these collections for ideas, or discuss the potential of ideas for
papers from these materials
Records of the Socialist Labor Party of America; guide to a microfilm edition. F. Gerald Ham NIU--Microforms Reference--2nd FL--FML Call Number: HX81.S62 S587
---research the strong Chicago connection for this radical labor organization
American Federation of Labor records : the Samuel Gompers era : guide to a joint microfilm publication. :
Part 1: Records held by the AFL-CIO -- Part 2: Records held by the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Microforms Reference--2nd FL--FML--Non-Circulating Call Number: HD8055.A5 A276
Numerous paper topics could be generated from these collections—see me
American Federation of Labor records [microform] guide compiled by Martin Schipper.
Contents: pt. 1. Strikes and agreements file, 1898-1953 (55 reels)—these undoubtedly contain files on local strikes in this area. 2. President's office files, Series A: William Green papers, 1934-1952 (38 reels) Microfilm HD8055.A5A5741985.
Debs, Eugene V. (Eugene Victor), 1855-1926. The papers of Eugene V. Debs, 1834-1945 : a guide to the microfilm edition / J. Robert Constantine, Published: [Glen Rock, N.J.] : Microfilming Corporation of America, 1983.
Microforms Reference--2nd FL--FML--Non-Circulating Call Number: HX84.D3 A31281983
Garlock, Jonathan. Guide to the local assemblies of the Knights of Labor / compiled by Jonathan Garlock.
Westport, Conn. : Greenwood Press, 1982. or unions--United States--Local unions--History.
Call Number: HD8055.K7 G37 –use to explore Knights of Labor locals in the area, as a starting point for research ideas
Terence Vincent Powderly papers, 1864-1937, and John
William Hayes papers, 1880-1921, the
Knights of Labor : a guide to the microfilm edition / edited by John A. Turcheneske.
. The call no. for the microfilm set is Micrfm/HD/6509/P69/T47. 109 reels
Call Number for guide HD6509.P69 T474
Hillquit, Morris, 1869-1933. The Morris Hillquit papers. 10 reels ; 35 mm.
Guide at the beginning of reel 1, edited by F. Gerald Ham.
The call no. is HX/83/.H638.
A guide to the microfilm edition of the CIO files of John L. Lewis / guide compiled by Martin P. Schipper. Series:The CIO and industrial unionism in America 1988.
Contents: pt. 1. Correspondence with CIO unions, 1929-1962 -- pt. 2. General files on the CIO and AFL, 1929-1955.
Subjects:
Lewis, John Llewellyn, 1880-1969 --Correspondence.
AFL-CIO--History--Sources.
United Mine Workers of America--History--Sources.
Labor unions--Coal miners--United States--History--Sources.
"For use with the microfilm publication The CIO files of John L. Lewis."
Location: NIU--Microforms Reference--2nd FL--FML--Non-Circulating
Call Number: HD6515.M616 G8431988
The CIO files of John L. Lewis [microform]
NIU--Microforms--2nd FL--FML--Non-Circulating Call Number: MICROFILM HD6515.M616 U5531988
Industrial Workers of the World. Proceedings of the ... convention of the Industrial Workers of the World. nions--Congresses. Call number: HD8055.I4 A3
The American federationist Official publication of the AFL v. 1-83, no. 6; Mar. 1894-June 1976.
NIU--Microforms Periodicals--2nd FL--FML--Non-Circulating MICROFILM HD8055.A5 A2
CIO proceedings
The Workingman's advocate. Chicago, A.C. Cameron [etc.]
v. 1-12, no. 29; 1863 ?-Oct. 13, 1877.
Official organ of the Trade's Assembly of Chicago, <1864>-Nov. 14, 1868; of the National Labor Union, Dec. 12, 1869-Apr. 1874; of the Industrial Congress of the United States, May 1874-1877.
NIU--Microforms Periodicals--2nd FL--FML--Non-Circulating
Call No: MICROFILM HX1 .A16
Library has: V.1 NO.8-V.12 NO.29 (SEP 17, 1864-OCT 13, 1877) (INC.)