Final answer:
In the 19th century, labor unions faced considerable challenges such as employer opposition, anti-union sentiment, race and ethnicity barriers, violent incidents, and economic downturns, which hindered their growth and establishment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 19th-century, the industrial revolution had significantly changed work conditions, and with the saturation of domestic markets, employers often used harsh methods to maintain labor control.
Anti-union sentiments were widespread, and employers used tactics like open shops, strikebreakers, and yellow-dog contracts to prevent unionization. Moreover, workers faced issues of race and ethnicity that hampered unity, with African Americans and immigrants often left at a disadvantage or excluded from unions.
The labor movement saw organization efforts like those of the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor. However, economic downturns like the Panic of 1873, the violent events such as the Homestead Steel Strike and the Pullman Strike, and the shift to a capitalist system with newfound wealth inequality created a difficult environment for unions. While they managed to persevere and grow over time, the 19th-century struggles set back their progress significantly.