Final answer:
The government's role in the labor unions' struggle for workers' rights varied, initially supporting business owners but increasingly partnering with the unions to enhance production and national interests during crises like World War I, leading to improved working conditions and stronger labor rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The government's role in the labor unions' fight for workers' rights was multifaceted and evolved over time. Initially, federal and state governments often sided with business owners, sometimes using military force to suppress strikes, reflecting option B. Over time, especially during periods of crisis such as World War I and again during the New Deal era of the 1930s, the government began to cooperate with unions, resulting in partnerships with government and management to avoid strikes and maximize production for national interests. The creation of the National War Labor Board (NWLB) and policies like the eight-hour workday, regulation of consumer prices, and the 'maintenance of membership' rule are examples of governmental support to moderate the conflicts between labor and management.
Specific actions, such as the U.S. government's protection of workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively, the prohibition of strikes during World War I, and the support for better wages and working conditions, illustrate a gradual shift towards a more balanced approach. The government also enacted reforms that benefitted workers, such as the promotion of a living wage and the requirement for union membership in certain industries, leading to a rise in union membership and improved conditions for workers. Such government interventions changed the dynamic, encouraging employers to recognize worker demands and possibly prevent the spread of labor unions.