Final answer:
During the late 1800s, the government's relationship with striking workers and company management was complex. The government did not always side with striking workers against companies, but there were instances where they supported striking workers. Companies sometimes hired government agents to keep striking workers in line, but they did not typically hire agents to encourage workers to strike. Overall, the government often sided with companies against striking workers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Relationship between the government, company management, and striking workers during the late 1800s
In the late 1800s, the relationship between the government, company management, and striking workers was complex and varied. While it is incorrect to say that the government nearly always sided with striking workers against companies (option A), there were instances where the government did support striking workers. One example is the government's involvement in negotiating a settlement during the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike, where workers received a 10 percent raise and reforms for safety and welfare.
On the other hand, it is also incorrect to say that companies often hired government agents to encourage workers to strike (option D). However, companies did hire government agents to keep striking workers in line. For example, during the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, government agents were employed to crush the labor movement.
The most accurate statement is that the government nearly always sided with companies against striking workers (option C). This can be seen in the various clashes between labor and management during the era, where government agencies often crushed strikes and supported business interests.