Final answer:
Workers responded to poor working conditions and poor treatment through violence, strikes, and social initiatives.
Step-by-step explanation:
Workers responded to the poor working conditions and poor treatment they received in a variety of ways. Some working communities erupted in spontaneous violence as a result of their frustration, particularly in the coal mines of eastern Pennsylvania and the railroad yards of western Pennsylvania. Other workers attempted to organize and advocate for their rights through strikes and protests. Additionally, some intellectuals and industrialists sought to improve the welfare of workers by implementing more humane practices and social initiatives.