The Pullman strike of 1894 marked a pivotal moment in U.S. labor history, igniting a national boycott and leading to significant political shifts. As wages were cut without a decrease in living costs, a staggering 125,000 workers walked off the job, prompting military intervention and sympathy strikes across the nation. This upheaval not only highlighted the dire economic conditions—such as Michigan's unemployment soaring to 45%—but also catalyzed a major political realignment, with the Democrats suffering unprecedented losses in the following elections.
