Final answer:
The strikes of the 1880s and 1890s initially hurt the labor movement by decreasing public support, but the awareness they brought led to long-term benefits including greater recognition of labor rights. The 1920s saw a decline in union membership, yet labor strikes remained an important tool for activism and gains in workers' rights, setting the stage for further progress with initiatives like the NRA.
Step-by-step explanation:
The strikes of the 1880s and the 1890s had mixed outcomes for the labor movement in the United States. In the short term, these strikes, including significant ones like the Homestead Steel Strike of 1892 and the Pullman Strike of 1894, appeared to have a detrimental impact on the labor movement, leading to a decline in public support for unions and leaving workers vulnerable. Nevertheless, despite these setbacks, these conflicts laid the groundwork for future labor activism by raising awareness of the plight of workers and the need for organized labor.
By the 1920s, a decline in the labor movement was noted, partly because of the difficulties in organizing amidst an influx of immigrants and a shrinking percentage of blue-collar jobs due to automation. Moreover, key labor victories during World War I set the stage for later success, where employers began recognizing worker's rights and government intervention occasionally favored the labor movement.
During the 1920s, despite a decrease in union membership, labor strikes continued to be an effective tool for activism. For example, the southern textile mills strikes highlighted the injustices of low pay and poor working conditions, eventually leading to changes. The National Recovery Administration (NRA) of the 1930s further bolstered the labor movement by encouraging workers' right to organize, resulting in increased strike activities and significant labor reforms.