The American Vision: Modern Times © 2008

"Chávez and the UFW"

Introduction
As you learned in this chapter, César Chávez organized the United Farm Workers (UFW), a union whose members are primarily Hispanic American, to provide better working conditions for farm workers. His mission was to restore dignity to not just the migrant farm worker, but to all Hispanic Americans. Chávez stated, "How could we progress as a people . . . while the farm workers—men and women of our color—were condemned to a life without pride?" Through strikes, boycotts, marches, arrests, and prison, he worked to organize farm workers and to make the Hispanic American voice heard. For his dedication, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Freedom—America's highest civilian honor.

Sample web sites:
United Farm Workers -- http://www.ufw.org/_page.php?menu=research&inc=history/07.html
L.A. Public Library -- http://www.colapublib.org/chavez/
Farm Worker Movement -- http://www.farmworkermovement.org/

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After you have read through the information, answer the following questions.

1			Describe the social barriers that Chávez experienced early in life.
2			Describe the conditions under which farm workers labored in 1965.
3			What nonviolent methods of protest does the UFW employ? What current projects is the UFW pursuing, and what methods is it encouraging?
4			How have conditions changed for farm workers?
5			Chávez founded the UFW in 1962 with the hope that his union of farm workers would provide hope for all Hispanic Americans. On a separate sheet of paper, create a pamphlet in honor of the union's 40th anniversary that gives an overview of the UFW—from its inception to today. Conclusion Unions have had a long history in the United States. But they have not always been successful. Their power has come and gone through the years. Consider the many factors that affect whether or not union organizers are successful.