One of the first strikes of cotton-factory operatives that
ever took place in this country was that in lowell, in
october, 1836. when it was announced that the wages
were to be cut down, great indignation was felt, and it was
decided to strike, en masse. this was done. the mills were
shut down, and the girls went in procession from their
several corporations to the "grove" on chapel hill, and
listened to "incendiary" speeches from some early labor
reformers.
one of the girls stood on a pump, and gave vent to the
feelings of her companions in a neat speech, declaring
that it was their duty to resist all attempts at cutting down
the wages. this was the first time a woman had spoken in
public in lowell, and the event caused surprise and
consternation among her
it is hardly necessary to say that so far as results were
concerned this strike did no good. the dissatisfaction of
the operatives subsided, or burned itself out, and though
the authorities did not accede to their demands, the
majority returned to their work, and the corporation went
on cutting down the wages.
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which events share a causal relationship?
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a. the strike's failure and the chapel hill rally
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b. the workers' speeches and the decision to cut wages
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c. the rally at chapel hill and the workers returning to the mill
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d. the announcement of wage cuts and the decision to go on strike