Industrialization/Origins of the Trade Union Movement

Industrialization and the origins of the Trade Union Movement in the 19th century in Germany and Europe can be considered as standard topics of history lessons at schools as they are in trade union courses as well.
Industrialization has not only been a historical phase of technological development but by the industrial-capitalist mode of production it has revolutionized economy, culture and politics as well - and has still strong influence on economic and social development today.

Political suppression and economical exploitation had led to certain forms of self-help organizations and political opposition concerning dreadful working and living conditions - to the origins of the organized labour movement in Germany and most of the European countries. The library of the Friedrich-Ebert-Foundation is today one of the worldwide largest scientific specialist libraries with a focus on collections in the field of history of the labour movement, social and contemporary history:

• Past and presence of the German and international labour movement,
• German and international social and contemporary history,
• current publications by political parties and trade unions in Germany and selected countries.

The topic is structured according the following items:

• Industrialization/Working conditions
• Social Issue
• Origins of the Trade Union Movement
• Trade Union Movement/Parties
• Links