How a 1897 massacre of pennsylvania coal miners morphed from. Music in the leader of the miners was willing to settle the strike by arbitration. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 resulted in a victory for the hard coal miners with a 10% increase in wages and an hours reduction in their working day. Read about the strike and the presidents intervention, and check your understanding with.
The coal strike of 1902 began in may 1902 when the coal operators in the anthracite fields refused to engage in talks with john mitchell and the united mineworkers of america umwa for increased wages and recognition of their union. Within 15 minutes, ten people were deadseven detectives, two miners and the mayor. This 1906 work by upton sinclair pointed out the abuses of the meat packing industry. President theodore roosevelt initially invited the coal miners union representatives and the mine owners to meet to settle the coal strike of 1902 because the nation needed coal to provide heat in the coming winter. Finally, on march 22, 1903, the commission announced its verdict.
The west virginia mine wars culminated in the nations largest armed uprising since the civil war. Report anthracite coal strike commission 1902 abebooks. Start a free trial of quizlet plus by thanksgiving lock in 50% off all year try it free ends in 02d 14h 33m 38s. On october 3, 1902 president theodore roosevelt met with miners and coal field operators in an attempt to settle the anthracite coal strike, then in its fifth month. Coal strike of 1902 wikimili, the free encyclopedia. Children working in the pennsylvania coal mines children working as coal miners in hughestown, pennsylvania, 1911. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902 scholars choice edition roy, andrew on. Report to the president on the anthracite coal strike of mayoctober 1902 by the anthracite coal strike commission by the anthracite coal strike commission and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
In this book, keith dix explores the impact of technology on miners and operators during a crucial period in industrial history. Dix reconstructs the social, political, technical and economic environment of the handloading era and then views the evolution of mechanical coal technology, including the inventions of joseph joy. President theodore roosevelt initially invited the coal miners union representatives and the mine owners to meet to settle the coal strike of 1902 because the nation needed coal. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 research paper the anthracite coal strike of 1902 lasted from may 12 until october 23 demonstrated both the growing power of labor in american industry and a greater willingness among elected officials to intervene in labor situations in order to reduce social turmoil.
Anthracite coal strike of 1902 for kids theodore roosevelt was the 26th american president who served in. Mar, 2019 how a 1897 massacre of pennsylvania coal miners morphed from a galvanizing crisis to forgotten history the death of 19 immigrants may have unified the labor movement, but powerful interests left. Coal was still paid by the cart load, and the umwa was still unrecognized as a union, mitchells main impetus for calling. Mine seed 2002 by lucia dailey the anthracite aristocracy.
The womens garment industry and the ilgwu in pennsylvania 2002. It was a turning point in the effort of the miners to gain a. Miners struck for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union. Chronology of the anthracite coal strike of 1902 ehistory. New book retraces lives of nepa miners news citizens voice. The miners the miners strongly opposed the view that they were just a commodity. Learn the 1902 coal strike with free interactive flashcards. What did roosevelt do when the united mine workers called. Wiebe the anthracite strike of 1902, as we hear of it today, was a morality play. The miners believed that they deserved the right to have a say in their working conditions, health and safety issues, their working hours and their rates of pay. Why was the 1902 coal strike significant in us history.
Restless miners demanded more pay and shorter hours, while the mine operators complained that profits were low, and that the union destroyed discipline. The coal strike of 1902, also known as the anthracite coal strike, 1 2 was a strike by the united mine workers of america in the anthracite coalfields of eastern pennsylvania. In the spring of 1902, the united mine workers called a strike among its membership in the anthracite coal fields of eastern pennsylvania. The anthracite coal strike mayoctober 1902 began after mine operators refused to meet with representatives of the united mine workers of america.
He first threatened to send in federal troops to run the industry, but then he set up an independent arbitration commission which persuaded the miners to go back to work. President theodore roosevelt feared untold miserywith the certainty of riots which might develop into social war. West virginia miners first went on strike at hawks nest in 1880, their principal grievance then and in every strike since has been inadequate pay. Coal strike of 1902 project gutenberg selfpublishing. Sep 10, 2012 new book retraces lives of nepa miners. The 1897 bituminous coal strike had several results. The coal strike of 1912 and titanic premier exhibitions. New book retraces lives of nepa miners news citizens. To improve working conditions and increase wages for mine workers. Start a free trial of quizlet plus by thanksgiving lock in 50% off all year try it free. How did president roosevelt respond to a coal miner strike in. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902 andrew roy press of j. Union action in 1902 the anthracite strike of 1902 was an effort by the united mine workers to get higher waves, shorter hours, and recognition of their union. Pennsylvania coal miners strike of 1902 united states pennsylvania.
Miners struck for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union. See the article in its original context from october 12, 1902, page 31 buy reprints. Choose from 10 different sets of the 1902 coal strike flashcards on quizlet. On one side stood john mitchell, talented and modest president of the united mine workers of america, who directed the ethnically diverse anthracite miners in their struggle for a living wage. Dec 15, 2014 licensed to youtube by tunecore, cd baby on behalf of pete hawkes. When the operators refused, more than 100,000 miners and laborers walked off the job. It gave more power than the icc to regulate the monopolistic railroads. Mar 20, 2017 a troopers narrative of service in the anthracite coal strike, 1902 1903 by stewart culin stories from the mines 2002 by thomas m.
Coal was still paid by the cart load, and the umwa was still unrecognized as a union, mitchells main impetus for calling the strike. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902 scholars choice edition. Their struggleand teddy roosevelts role in itwas to mark a turning point in labor history. In early 1902 this union made demands for additional wage increases and an eight hour workday, and the resulting impasse led to a strike on may 12th. White star line made an announcement that the speed of olympic and titanic would now be dropped from 23 knots to 20 knots to save. Breaker boys sort coal in an anthracite coal breaker near south pittston, pennsylvania, 1911. The coal strike of 1902 the strike of 1900 was the prelude to a larger dramathe great anthracite coal strike of 1902. The anthracite coal strike in northeastern pennsylvania had been going on for over four months with no signs of ending. Perspectives on the 1902 anthracite coal strike 2002 by kenneth c. May 10, 2019 posted in anthracite mining, books tagged 1902, book, coal region, coal strike of 1902, john mitchell, labor, theodore roosevelt, union, united mine workers of america leave a comment children of the mine the coal regions breaker boys at work.
Learn how teddy roosevelt saved the day in mediating an end to the anthracite coal miners strike of 1902. In 1902 the pennsylvania coal miners walked out of the mines in a wage dispute. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902, including a brief sketch of early british miners classic reprint roy, andrew on. United states anthracite coal strike commission, 1902 1903.
Anthraciteor hard coal was solid and rich in carbon, ideal for industrial and domestic use. The union representing these miners was the united mine workers of america, led by john mitchell. The gunfight in downtown matewan on may 19, 1920, had all the elements of a highnoon showdown. Photos by lewis hine, courtesy of library of congress. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major american cities. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902, including a brief sketch of early british miners. Leadership and social change in the hard coal regions of northeastern pennsylvania, 18001930 1985 by edward j. When the two sides refused to negotiate, he threatened to use soldiers to man the mines during the strike, and the loss of money. Posted in anthracite mining, books tagged 1902, book, coal region, coal strike of 1902, john mitchell, labor, theodore roosevelt, union, united mine workers of america leave a comment children of the mine the coal regions breaker boys at work. Roosevelt s actions were noteworthy because he was. Pennsylvania anthracite coal workers strike for better wages. Apr 25, 2017 the coal mining massacre america forgot the mountains of southern west virginia are riddled with coaland bullets child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908.
On october 23, 1902, the miners returned to work after both sides agreed to settle the strike based on the recommendations of the anthracite coal commission, a body appointed by the president. Miners were on strike asking for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union. Cd baby sync publishing, ascap, bmi broadcast music inc. The strike began in eastern pennsylvania, where almost all anthracite coal was mined at the time, on may 12, 1902, after the railroad companies which. The history of federal government intervention in labor matters up to this time showed a clear favoritism for management. In january of 1912 coal miners came to the decisions to go on strike for minimum wages, causing complications in the shipping industry. Roosevelts direction and pressure not only prevented a coal famine, but it also established a role for government intervention in labor disputes. The country relied on coal to power commerce and industry and anthracite or hard coal was essential for domestic heating. The strike of 1900 was the prelude to a larger dramathe great anthracite coal strike of 1902. On may nearly anthracite coal miners go on strike in eastern pennsylvania for higher wages, better working conditions, and recognition of t. Some months later the commission devised a settlement that won the workers most of their demands. Report to the president on anthracite coal strike by carroll davidson wright, commissioner of labor president roosevelt was sufficiently concerned about the anthracite strike that on june 8, 1902, he directed his commissioner of labor, carroll d.
This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. The 1902 coal strike flashcards and study sets quizlet. As the strike went on more and more ships were being ported due to lack of fuel. Life and labor in the maryland coal region, 18351910. Also to pressure japan into the gentlemens agreement. The book led to the passage of the 1906 meat inspection act. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902 this work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. The pennsylvania miners strike in 1902, a major strike of miners in the coal regions of eastern pennsylvania usa in may october 1902. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 was significant because it was the first time in american history that the president took direct, nonmilitant action. See the article in its original context from april 2, 1902, page 1 buy reprints view on timesmachine timesmachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers.
This book and a copy of the chapter are on reserve in the main library for the autumn 1999. But the head of the mine owners was definitely not. Dec 02, 2017 a history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902, including a brief sketch of early british miners classic reprint roy, andrew on. The pennsylvania center for the book great anthracite coal. Why was the 1902 coal strike significant in us history answers. Andrew roy, a history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902, 3d ed. The anthracite coal strike commission was able to initiate an agreement and the miners returned to work on october 23, 1902. The coal strike of 1902 also known as the anthracite coal strike was a strike by the united mine workers of america in the anthracite coalfields of eastern pennsylvania. Ultimately, the miners won a ten percent increase in pay and a ninehour workday. On october 3, 1902, president theodore roosevelt met with miners and coalfield operators from the anthracite coalfields in pennsylvania in an attempt to settle the strike, then in its fifth month. But if you see something that doesnt look right, click here to contact us. The economic welfare of bituminous coal miners, 18901930. A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902, including a brief sketch of early british miners by roy, andrew and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
A history of the coal miners of the united states, from the development of the mines to the close of the anthracite strike of 1902, including a brief sketch of early british miners by roy, andrew, 1834. The pennsylvania center for the book great anthracite. The greatest strike ever pennsylvania center for the book. Teddy roosevelt and the 1902 coal miners strike britannica. West virginia, 19071933 archon books, 1979, on labor conflicts of the early 20th century. Specifically, a 20% wage increase, an 8hour workday down from 10 for miners and 12 for maintenance workers, the right to check the operators stated weight of coal, the creation of a grievance policy fair to workers, recognition of the union, and the right to collectively bargain.
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