Question

Read this passage from "Early Factory Labor in New England” by Harriet H. Robinson. One of the first strikes that ever took place in this country was in Lowell in 1836. When it was announced that the wages were to be cut down . . . it was decided to strike or "turn out” en masse. This was done. The mills were shut down, and the girls went from their several corporations in procession to the grove on Chapel Hill, and listened to incendiary speeches from some early labor reformers. One of the girls stood on a pump and gave vent to the feelings of her companions in a neat speech, declaring that it was their duty to resist all attempts at cutting down the wages. This was the first time a woman had spoken in public in Lowell, and the event caused surprise and consternation among her audience. What was one purpose of the 1836 strike in Lowell, Massachusetts? to demand freedom of speech to gain the right to organize to protest reduced pay for mill workers to demand equal rights for women

Answer 1

The purpose of the 1836 strike in Lowell, Massachusetts was to protest reduced pay for mill workers. The mills had announced that they would be cutting wages, and the workers decided to strike en masse in response. The passage describes how the girls went on strike, shut down the mills, and listened to speeches from early labor reformers. One of the girls even gave a speech herself, declaring that it was their duty to resist all attempts at cutting down wages. Therefore, the answer is "to protest reduced pay for mill workers."