Europe 1896

Synopsis

In 1896 maritime workers from unions from several European countries formed an organization that would eventually become known as the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). Although the ITF would later incorporate laborers in other transportation industries, such as railroad and streetcar workers, seamen and dockworkers initially formed the ITF. In response to the conditions endured by workers in their unions, leaders of several of the British maritime trade unions began to call for an international federation. Strikes in places such as London and Rotterdam inspired these union leaders to create such an organization. After much initial enthusiasm, however, the ITF fell into a period of decline that resulted from its inability to win a strike in Hamburg, Germany. After the failed Hamburg strike, the British leaders lost much of their power. German union leaders took control of the ITF...