The History of Unions in the United States. Labor unions have existed in one form or another in the United States since the birth of the country. They were created in an effort to protect the working population from abuses such as sweatshops and unsafe working conditions. Spartacus Educational subject menu: USA History: Trade Unions. Sections: Trade Union Activists, Trade Union Organizations, Trade Union Journals, Events and Issues History of the BritishTrade Union Movement. Sections: Trade Unionists, Trade Unions, Trade Union and Political Legislation, Important Events and Issues, Labour Journals and Newspapers Spartacus Educational