Alexis M. Lamie Statement of Interest ECON 40423 Fall 2014 John Lovett What were the socio-economic effects of the Ludlow Massacre? Abstract: Beginning in the late 19th century, union strikes throughout the American coal industry started a socio-economic revolution. The strikes brought to attention the economic injustices in the industrial sector as well as in the workplace. These infringements upon workers included lack of pay, unsafe work environments, and unequal ‘slave-like’ treatment which resulted in lives being destroyed by big business. This paper will focus on the Colorado Coal Strikes, and in particular, one which resulted in the Ludlow Massacre. …show more content…
During this time, rises in the demand of coal-powered steam engines led to a rapid increase of coal mining (Wrigley 54). As the evolution of the market system took place, the small scale techniques that the industry had been using were not supplying a sufficient level of coal output needed to maintain the high demand in the manufacturing and transportation sectors. This deficiency prompted a transition for the coal mining industry that involved dangerous mining techniques and labor …show more content…
Sixty-six men, women, and children died during the strike, but not a single militiaman or private detective was charged with any crime (Gitelman 55). It wasn't until 1935 that workers attained true laboring rights, but the efforts of the coal strikers created a butterfly effect that impacted future socio-economic standing (Butero). IV. Economic Effects of the Ludlow Massacre Even though the strike was unsuccessful in its time, it eventually paved the way for the passages of acts and regulations that greatly impacted, economic injustices, immigration employment reform, worker health and safety, 8-hour work days, and change in child labor laws. Recognition of the Labor
Amid the late nineteenth century and mid-twentieth-century, poor working conditions in numerous industrial facilities drove specialists to battle for a better working condition. One of the many fights for better working conditions was known as the 'Homestead Strike of 1892' and was one of the greatest movement for labor rights. The Homestead Strike consisted of a battle between the Carnegie Steel Company, and the Amalgamated Association. The owner of the Carnegie Steel Company, Andrew Carnegie wanted to bring down the wages of steel workers after the cost of steel dropped in 1890.However, they confronted resistance from the steel laborer's union, and a contradiction over wages turned into a fight for power between the men responsible for the
Ninoska Suarez History 601 Professor Nierick 10/20/14 Killing For Coal By Thomas G. Andrews Summary: Killing for Coal discusses the conditions in the Colorado coal mines leading up to the Ludlow Massacre and the Ten Day War of 1914. Andrew draws out the major players in the Colorado coal culture including land, labor, capitalized industrialization and labor resistance that give us an overall depiction of the world of coal mining in Colorado. Andrews, begins with an introduction of the graphic images of coal miners being asphyxia and slaughter by militia men and strike breakers hired by Rockefeller-owed Colorado Fuel and Iron Company, these events was later called Ludlow Massacre. These polarizing events produced coal miners to fight back which
After the massacre came to end it received publicity nationwide. This massacre gave light to an issue within the American economy. It was an example of real lives lost over the greed of the insanely rich. Not only did it ensure Colorado's employment laws be followed, but set precedent for the next strike. The Ludlow Massacre will always be a symbol of the struggle between the working class attempting to survive and provide for themselves and the ones they love and the large companies that attempt to exploit labor for as much gain as they can.
The United States has always been a country filled with voice and opposition to things that the people within do not feel fit their ideal way of life. The people within this democratic society feel as though it is their duty to speak up and rise again un-american ideals and principals. The forever developing government plays a crucial role in deciding how the country runs, but without resistance from the people, America would almost never change. Early in American history, there was one of the most famous conflicts that involved the voices of the American people. The issue of slavery was very controversial between the divided nation.
The workers gather to listen to several speakers over the five days near the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company among those giving the speaks there was both a pled from those who discouraged violence and encourage the crowd to join together against the companies; however, this was also a pled from those who urge worked to take action of violent revolution. The Haymarket Riot turned into a violent event resulting in a controversy trial that supported the discrimination against union members. Perhaps the greatest lasting effect of the riot was that it created a widespread revulsion against union, which caused membership to decline and reduce union influence; because unions became lined to radical ideas and violence in the popular mind. (Avial,2011)
Daman Singh Mr. Davis US History Period 3 January 16th, 2017 Pullman Strike of 1894 The Pullman experiment was led by George M. Pullman, a railroad car manufacturer, where he hoped to turn a failing society into a perfect one. Pullman’s goal was to introduce skilled workers to contribute to building this “perfect” society. However, Pullman’s experiment was disastrous as he failed to meet the needs of his workers, causing a boycott and huge amounts of violence. (Background Essay). The Pullman experiment was not successful as it led to a huge worker’s strike, unfair treatment of laborers, and violence.
In Cape Breton, the Sydney coalfield is one of the richest coal resources in the world. Before becoming miners, many poor European Immigrants came to Canada for hopes of earning more money than they did before, many Scottish immigrants settled in Cape Breton but remained poor and jobless. Business men in the late 1800s saw better use for the failing mining companies in Cape Breton if there was a railway built going from Sydney to Louisberg, the provincial government agreed to this which meant coal was not only worth more but the mines would not close during the winter months as they usually did. The dominion coal company took over many unprofitable coal mines in the Sydney Coal Field, many mining sites were built in Glace Bay when the coal industry really took, men were coming to get jobs daily in large numbers and The Dominion Coal Company hurriedly built boarding houses for the men to live in. After these boarding houses were built, they built school houses for the married miners children, hospitals, police stations and fire stations.
The organized labor of 1875-1900 was unsuccessful in proving the position of workers because of the future strikes, and the intrinsical feeling of preponderation of employers over employees and the lack of regime support. In 1877, railroad work across the country took part in a cyclopean strike that resulted in mass violence and very few reforms. An editorial, from the Incipient York Time verbalized: "the strike is ostensibly hopeless, and must be regarded as nothing more than a rash and splenetic demonstration of resentment by men too incognizant or too temerarious to understand their own interest" (Document B). In 1892, workers at the Homestead steel plant near Pittsburg ambulated out on strike and mass chaos the lives of at least two Pinkerton detectives and one civilian, among many other laborers death (Document G).
In Braddock the work day went from eight hours to twelve hours, and in Homestead workers had to agree to the mills terms to return to work. Kratcha did not like the strikes, but Andrej approved of them saying, “While you’re losing a dollar, Carnegie will be losing thousands… Take a penny from [the millionaires] and they will bleed” (40). Although many workers, mostly those in support or in unions, approved of the strikes, they still made it difficult for many workers to support themselves when they were receiving no pay due to a shutdown mill. With the strain that strikes put on low income workers, Unions made it difficult for laborers, like Kratcha, to earn a steady income,
Meet You in Hell Essay Meet You in Hell: Andrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick, and the Bitter Partnership That Changed America is written by Les Standiford. Standiford is a historian and author who lives in Miami. In “Meet You in Hell”, Standiford tells the story of two men during America’s Gilded Age, Andrew Carnegie and Henry Clay Frick, who rise to be among the wealthiest men in history. Carnegie and Frick rise to power, dominating the new found Industrial Era.
Problems like these angered the workers and caused labor unions to form. Some labor unions included the American Federation of Labor (AFL), or the Knights of Labor (KoL), which were the first two industrial labor unions. The industrial unions did more physical rebellion such as strikes or walk-outs, but both the industrial unions and the farmer unions were formed due to the people’s
In chapter 15, “Self-Help in Hard Times”, Zinn’s overarching point is that unity among workers was not simple to achieve, and that white supremacy was a powerful, deadly force after the war. To support and further discuss these concepts, Zinn points out how relations between the American Federation of Labor and the Industrial Workers of the World were often tense, how city life often changed drastically during times of strike, and how immigration laws during the twenties began to favor Anglo-Saxons. One such way Zinn showcases these ideas is by describing how drastically life changed for cities when workers went on strike, hoping for an increase in their wages. As the strike continued on throughout February of 1919, Zinn recalls how all services, except for those that were consider essential to daily life, ceased.
The working conditions of the 1800s were very harsh on the employees. They would be burning hot in the summer and in the winter the employees would be freezing cold. The workers would get caught in the machines. They would have long working hours, for example, they would work approximately 11.4 hours a day. The workers would get tired and by the end of the day, more accidents would happen.
In Robert Marks’ “The Industrial Revolution and Its Consequences, 1750-1850” Marks goes on to describe the end of the biological old regime and the beginning of Industrial Revolution that mechanized the world. In the old regime, people’s necessities all came exclusively from the land. However, in a revolution powered by coal, surplus goods could be manufactured in industries. This allowed the population capacity of the world to increase and a different set of challenges unseen in the old regime to arise.
It killed seven police and wounded about sixty people. The police than fired on the crowd, killing several people and wounding one hundred people,” The Haymarket affair was horrible because it gave the employers more leverage on the workers because the could use the Haymarket affair as a weapon to keep employees in line. Also, many innocent lives were lost because the harvester company didn’t want to raise wages just a few cents. Instead of raising wages the company provoked the workers and that’s why the fights in the streets broke out.