Final answer:
Steel workers gained no significant benefits when they returned to work in 1920 despite earlier labor movement efforts, as the economic climate and social factors weakened their bargaining power.
Step-by-step explanation:
Regarding the steel workers' situation post-1920, after the First World War, labor unions saw an increase in membership and during the war, workers received promises of better working conditions and wages. However, gains were short-lived, since inflation offset wage increases, making real purchasing power decline for workers. In the following years, particularly in 1919, numerous strikes occurred as unions pushed for improvements, but these often led to public backlash and increased reluctance on the part of employers to make concessions. By the 1950s, despite short-term victories like the outcome of the 1959 Steel Strike where the unions leveraged their power to maintain worker numbers against automation efforts, the public perception was turning against the inflexible stance of the unions, which appeared to oppose innovation and efficiency.
For the question regarding the specific gains made by steel workers when they returned to work in 1920, after the labor disputes and strikes post-World War I, the gains were unfortunately negligible. Workers struggled with poor working conditions, low wages, and income inequality, which was exacerbated by the high cost of living. The influx of immigrants and non-unionized rural workers into urban jobs, along with discrimination against African Americans in unions, further weakened the labor movement's bargaining power. Therefore, the correct answer to the question 'What gains did the steel workers make when they returned to work in 1920?' would be (a) They made no gains.