Montgomery, David.

The Fall of the House of Labor: The Workplace, the State, and
American Labor Activism, 1865-1925. New York: Cambridge University Press,
1989.

Montgomery’s Fall of the House of Labor: The Workplace, the State, and American

Labor Activism, 1865-1925 is a comprehensive and unparalleled exploration of the

struggle of the American worker between 1865-1925. The book is comprised of nine

essays on the conflicts between labor, management and the state. Montgomery’s

thesis is three part:

Its three basic points of reference are the human relationships that wage labor
generated at the workplace, the changing structures of economic and political
power fashioned by the evolution of the nineteenth-century competitive
industrial capitalism to twentieth-century imperialism and the diverse styles of
thought and activity by which working class activists sought to interpret and
improve the society in which they lived. (2)

Montgomery also clarifies that he will focus on the: “less(er) known chapters in

American workers experience, such as the struggles of textile and garment workers

before 1900 and of railroad, mining, and electrical workers after that time.” (3)

Montgomery extensively analyzes the developments in labor from 1865-

1925, using the three parts as building blocks to explain the story of labor in

America. The books begins with the experience of the American worker, then moves

to the relations between the worker and his employee then finally their relations

with the state. In contrast to earlier works that focused only on the developments

within the American worker, Montgomery analyzes this group as it compares to

changes in the National and International political economies.

Montgomery finds that to understand the issue the reader must understand

the class structures. These class structures dictated the plight and ability of

advancement for the workers. Despite the ability of some to move up, highly skilled
laborers remained mostly native born or Americanized, English speakers who

earned more and had ability for advancement. The unskilled laborers were

composed of recent immigrants, nonwhites and women.

Montgomery highlights the bitter relationships between labor and

management. Montgomery extensively analyzes management’s tools in the

struggle, the effect of new technology, piecework, and scientific management.

Montgomery emphasizes how scientific management diluted skilled labor and

through standardization eliminated the reliance on the initiative on the worker.

The early labor movement clearly influenced politics but towards the end of

the book labor seemed to have lost its advantage with the federal government and

management united to slow the labor movements power.

The “fall” in Montgomery’s title needs to be explained further, to believe that

organized labor had “fallen” by 1925 does not seem appropriate. Montgomery

highlights how even at its height, the labor movement never had more then 10-15%

of potential union members.

Montgomery’s methodology uses extensive primary, secondary materials in

his research. He also cites numerous publications in various European languages,

allowing him to contrast the developments of American workers with those of their

contemporaries in Europe. The American laborer was competing with those in

Europe and these contrast national differences.

Fall of the House of Labor Montgomery helps the historian to broaden their

view and to realize the larger impact of localized labor struggles. These struggles

and relationships are the story of the development of the American Industry.
Montgomery’s ability to synthesis information to help explain why some labor

movements were successful while others failed are the strongest points in this book.

Montgomery provides an excellent and comprehensive account of the many

important labor struggles and class struggles during the period 1865-1925.