Summary Of John Mitchell's Conception Of Industrial Liberty

Published in 1910, during the progressive era, a time charactarized by dramatic economic growth, brought on by increased productivity, a rapid rise in population, and the growing consumer marketplace, (pg. 684) this document reflects the views of many in the workingclass at the time. As the economy thrived, so did inequality, business leaders used their power and influence to exploit their workers, forcing them to work long hours in unsafe conditions while paying them too little to be able to maintain a decent standard of living. At this time, any steps from the government to protect working-class people was deemed unconstitutional by the courts on the grounds that it “invaded the liberty of the workingpeople.” (pg.699) This lead many laborers, skilled and unskilled alike, to question the current defintion of freedom. Although the Progressives were known for social reforms to nevertheless they were also concerned with this question of the definition of freedom as demonstrated by John Mitchell in …show more content…
Published in 1910, John Mitchell's "The Workingman's Conception of Industrial Liberty" asks the questions many advocates of progressism during this time were also demanding answers for. because of american's desire for justice in a system that was overrun with injustices. Mitchell differentiates between liberties. While he is aware the Declaration of Independence grants American's politial and civil liberty, he mourns the exclusion of industrial liberty which he defines as being able to provide for the neccessities of ones family as well as living in comfort. The prevailing belief at the time was that any promise of protection for workingmen was a invasion of personal liberty, Mitchell asserts that “Is it not natural that the workingmen should feel that they are being guarunteed the liberties they do not want and denied the liberty that is of real value to