The great coal strike of 1902 had a great impact on the society of the united states for a number of reasons. Fighting for safety standards, grievance procedures and better pay, workers in many trades held strikes to get the. However the miners strike conformed to the difficult british industrial context of the time which was marked by increasing unrest. Anthracite coal strike 1902 the clarence darrow collection. Nov 30, 2011 mitchell and the strikers conceded for the time, but tension still remained between the workers and operators, and the conflict between them culminated in the anthracite coal strike of 1902. The us miners strikes, 19191922 jeremy brecher jeremy brechers account of the strike wave in american mines from 1919 to 1922, where coalminers fought the bosses, the government and even the unions in often pitched battles involving guns, dynamite and on one occasion a. Miners struck for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union. Miners struck for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union.
This was rejected by the miners federation who called for a. Because of that, theodore roosevelt went down to wahington and tried to negotiate the problems with both parties. The miners strike of 1902 was ended by a the arrest school central georgia technical college. Mar 12, 2009 in contrast, david peaces gb84 is relentless in its blowbyblow account of the strike from the miners point of view. 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. The early 20th century was marked by tensions between workers and employers. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 resulted in a victory for the hardcoal miners with a 10% increase in wages and an hours reduction in their working day. The catalyst for the strike was the announcement by the. 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. What did theodore roosevelt do to end the coal strike of 1902. Coal strike of 1902 1 coal strike of 1902 coal strike of 1902 coal miners in hazleton, pennsylvania in 1900.
The great anthracite coal strike of 1902 newspaper archives. 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. In 1902, president roosevelt appointed clark to the anthracite coal strike commission not because he was a labor supporter but because he was an eminent sociologist. While the sharpest focus has been on the wharf labourers there has been little response to the accusations against coal miners.
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. The industry, still smarting from its concessions in 1900, opposed any federal role. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 was significant because it was the first time in american history that the president took direct, nonmilitant action. The uk miners strike of 198485 was a major industrial action affecting the british coal industry. Theodore roosevelt was of this school when he ended the great anthracite coal strike of 1902 because he compelled the miners and operators to stop fighting and then presented a plan for workingout a peac read more. This is a topic suggestion on the anthracite coal strike of 1902 from paper masters. Study 45 terms chapter 9 regular us history flashcards. A book of the names and address of people living in a city. The anthracite coal strike was one of the most important events in the early.
Union action in 1902 in the history of the united states of america. In 1902, some coal miners went on strike because they felt they werent paid enough. The 1984 miners strike was a last attempt by the mining unions to stop mining closures and the loss of jobs. We have been collecting your stories and memories of the time. Of the various types of coal used for fuel, anthracite coal was. Purposes and ideals philadelphia, american book and bible house, 1903, p. Apr 05, 2014 t he only major television commemoration of the start of the miners strike 30 years ago was an hourlong documentary that went out late at night on itv a few weeks ago. Despite the fact that only 9,000 mine workers in the coal region were umwa members, over 110,000 mine workers of a total of 145,000 joined the strike within the first week. The strikes were notable and controversial for the accompanying. About 300 coal creek miners, many of them veterans of the coal creek war, perished in mine disasters in 1902 fraterville and 1911 cross mountain. The 1893 miners strike was triggered by a significant drop in the price of coal. How does literature reflect the 1984 miners strike. The strike were settled with the strikers getting a 10% pay raise and their work day reduced to 9 hours.
Extremely concerned, roosevelt directly intervened and threatened to have federal troops come. As early as june 1970, only one month after taking office, the heath government had to face a dockers strike and could not avoid the declaration of a state of emergency. International support for the miners strike 198485. Pennsylvania anthracite coal workers strike for better. The views on this page are those of the people who sent them in, not of the bbc. Pages 8 ratings 50% 2 1 out of 2 people found this. The miners strike started in south yorkshire in march 1984 and continued for a year. Feb 02, 2004 the 1984 miners strike was a last attempt by the mining unions to stop mining closures and the loss of jobs.
The strike of 1900 was the prelude to a larger dramathe great anthracite coal strike of 1902. The pennsylvania center for the book great anthracite coal. 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. Coal strike of 1902 wikimili, the free encyclopedia. Shirley dent on how literature reflects the 1984 miners strike.
The yearlong strike involved hardship and violence as pit communities from south wales to scotland fought to retain their local collieries for many the only source of employment. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major american cities. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply. What did theodore roosevelt do in order to end the coal. The white house was caught off guard by this major strike on the eve of a presidential. Chief john ross anthracite coal strike land of the south slavs. A strike of millionaires against miners or the story of spring valley by. The union representing these miners was the united mine workers of america, led by john mitchell.
Pennsylvania anthracite coal workers strike for better wages. The gunfight in downtown matewan on may 19, 1920, had all the elements of a highnoon showdown. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 for kids theodore roosevelt was the 26th american president who served in office from september 14, 1901 to march 4, 1909. At that time, residences were typically heated with. Opposition to the strike was led by the conservative government of prime minister margaret thatcher, who wanted to. May 09, 2010 ive got a half decent book entitled across frontiers.
Coal strike of 1902 encyclopedia article citizendium. The book, which ive only got a quarter of the way through, has plenty of interesting facts though some should be questioned, as well as plenty of uninteresting ones, but is full of terrible leftist crap which in the current climate of the shit coming down from the uk and almost every other state expresses. In an attempt to maintain profits, colliery owners tried to introduced a 25% reduction in miners wages. Why was the 1902 coal strike significant in us history.
They fought the tennessee militia to abolish the use of convict miners by private industry during the coal creek war of 1891 to 1892. On october 3, 1902, the coal strike was broken out due to the issues of work wages,union recognition and 8hours workday by the pennsylvania miners. When the two sides refused to negotiate, he threatened to use soldiers to man the mines during the strike, and the loss of money. However, that report was not released because roosevelt feared it would look like. This book and a copy of the chapter are on reserve in the main library for the autumn 1999 quarter. The miners strike of 198485 was a major industrial action to shut down the british coal industry in an attempt to prevent colliery closures. 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. The firemen and engineers walked out on june 2, and this solidified the strike. Restless miners demanded more pay and shorter hours, while the mine operators complained that profits were low, and that the union destroyed discipline. The miners strike of 1902 was ended by a the arrest of. Some months later the commission devised a settlement that won the workers most of their demands. On october 3, 1902, president theodore roosevelt met with miners and. In march 1984 more than 187,000 miners came out on strike when the national coal board. Date 1902 the coal strike of 1902, also known as the anthracite coal strike 12, was a strike by the united mine workers of america in the anthracite coal fields of eastern pennsylvania.
The coal strike of 1902 was a strike by the united mine workers of america in the anthracite coalfields of eastern pennsylvania. When the owners refused to negotiate with the union, miners appealed to president roosevelt to. While the sharpest focus has been on the wharf labourers there has been little. Across frontiers brings to life the fascinating story of the men and women who travelled overseas to speak to workers and raise support for the miners strike. T he only major television commemoration of the start of the miners strike 30 years ago was an hourlong documentary that went out late at night on itv a. What did roosevelt do when the united mine workers called a. One unusual and significant characteristic of the anthracite coal strike in 1902 was that a the coal miners union was officially recognized as the legal bargaining agent of the miners b for a time the mines were seized by the national government and operated by federal troops. At the time, clark was also the grand chief conductor of the order of railway conductors. Spring had come again to the anthracite coal region of pennsylvania in march, 1903. Coal strike of 1902 project gutenberg selfpublishing. It was a defining moment in british industrial relations, and its defeat significantly weakened the british trade union movement. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to all major cities homes and apartments were heated with.
Coal miners during world war ii honest historyhonest history. You can send us your stories and recollections of the 198485 miners strike via the form at the bottom of the page. Harbaugh, the life and times of theodore roosevelt new york. Other names anthracite coal strike location pennsylvania, united states date 1902 the coal strike of 1902, also known as the anthracite coal strike12, was a strike by the united mine workers of america in the anthracite coal fields of eastern pennsylvania. 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. It is of minor importance whether the operators or miners are right. Opposing the wfm were associations of mine owners and businessmen at each location, supported by the colorado state government. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major american. 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. Miners were on strike asking for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union.
The anthracite coal strike mayoctober 1902 began after mine operators. Coal miners during world war ii honest historyhonest. Mitchell and the strikers conceded for the time, but tension still remained between the workers and operators, and the conflict between them culminated in the anthracite coal strike of 1902. It was also seen as a major political victory for margaret thatcher and the conservative party. It was led by arthur scargill of the national union of mineworkers num against the national coal board ncb, a government agency. The pennsylvania center for the book great anthracite. The coal strike of eastern pennsylvania had the miners requesting high wages and reduced hours of work. The miners later went on strike because they thought the average weight should be higher and the company disagreed. Why was the 1902 coal strike significant in us history answers. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The colorado labor wars were a series of labor strikes in 1903 and 1904 in the us state of colorado, by gold and silver miners and mill workers represented by the western federation of miners wfm.
Jul 22, 20 the us miners strikes, 19191922 jeremy brecher jeremy brechers account of the strike wave in american mines from 1919 to 1922, where coalminers fought the bosses, the government and even the unions in often pitched battles involving guns, dynamite and on one occasion a makeshift air force. When a resolution could not be reached, convict miners were brought to the companys tennessee mine in tennessee hollow near briceville. Roosevelt did have the strike investigated which found a lot of merit to the strikers demands. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 for kids theodore roosevelt was the 26th american president who served in. On september 17, 1900, mitchell called for a strike of the anthracite coal miners.
Normally, this would be no cause for concern, because people had coal to use for heat. Coal miners strike a coalminers strike begins in pennsylvania, during the course of which 140,000 workers would leave their jobs. Thanks to the anthracite strike of 1902, roosevelt was able to employ the means of the federal government in improving the standard of living for all americans. The history of federal government intervention in labor matters up to this time showed a clear favoritism for management. The miners strike of 19841985 was one of the most bitter industrial disputes britain has ever seen.
Finally it helped women gain universal suffrage in 1920 through the 19th amendment. May 12, 1902, mitchell called out 147,000 workers from the anthracite mines of. Profits were low in 1902 because of an over supply. Crater lake national park the president establishes crater lake national park in oregon. In march 1984 more than 187,000 miners came out on. Apr 25, 2017 the gunfight in downtown matewan on may 19, 1920, had all the elements of a highnoon showdown. The issues that led to the strike of 1900 were just as pressing in 1902. In contrast, david peaces gb84 is relentless in its blowbyblow account of the strike from the miners point of view. This custom has grown up in the state of pennsylvania because there is money in it. The miners strike of 1902 was ended by a the arrest of striking miners for. The 150,000 miners wanted their weekly pay envelope. The strike became a symbolic struggle, as the national union of. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 was significant because it was the first time in american history that the president took direct. What did roosevelt do when the united mine workers called.