Written primarily from the teachers' viewpoint, this review of the history and causes of teacher militancy in the United States traces the emergence of unionism and the collective bargaining movement among teachers. The author briefly discusses causes of militancy, relevant laws and court decisions, the impact of the economy on the teachers' movement, teacher conservatism, federal school financing, recent increases in the number of teachers, public opinion and its impact on teachers, and political action by teachers. He concludes that teacher militancy and its mechanism for expression, collective bargaining, are firmly ensconced in the teaching profession because of the effectiveness of professional organizations, such as the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers. (Author/DS)