United mine workers demanded 20 percent wage increase, a reductive in daily working hours from ten to nine, and formal management recognition in their union. May 12, 1902 to oct 23, 1902 coal miner strike of 1902 a strike staged by american mine workers due to long work days, short wages, and no recognition. Pennsylvania anthracite coal workers strike for better. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 cornell, robert j. Watch the mine wars american experience official site. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 for kids theodore roosevelt was the 26th american president who served in. Coal strike of 1902 2 the anthracite coal strike miner strikes the owner. 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.
The firemen and engineers walked out on june 2, and this solidified the strike. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 law library digital. The other major type of coal used for fuel is bituminous coal, a relatively soft coal that contains a tarlike substance called bitumen. What turned john mitchell into a larger than life symbol for the labor movement was the great strike of 1902. This high strike propensity can be fully explained only by taking into account the total environment of the coal miner the nature of his work, and the type of community in which he lived. There was not, as there was in 1902, a short corn crop left over from the previous year to adversely affect grain tonnage. Soon, more than 5,000 coal and iron police guarded the idle collieries in four counties, many of them street toughs recruited in philadelphia and other cities.
The industry, still smarting from its concessions in 1900, opposed any federal role. 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. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 michael hannon 2010 anthracite coal anthracite coal is a hard, compact variety of mineral coal with the highest carbon count and the fewest impurities of any type of coal. The revised release date is fallwinter of 201 7 and the projected retail price. Guards for the smitt myers coal company during the 1902 miners strike. No longer could companies and businessmen hire police to enforce what they wanted. Soon, more than 5,000 coal and iron police guarded the idle collieries in four counties, many of them street toughs recruited in. When the two sides refused to negotiate, he threatened to use soldiers to man the mines during the strike, and the loss of money. You got a certain dignity going in the coal mines, and working and drawing a paycheck, and coming out. Click on almost any picture in this story to see its full version.
Pages 8 ratings 100% 15 15 out of 15 people found this. The federal government was used to mediate and that became part of the square deal by roosevelt. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 april smiths technology. 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. Coal miners strike abebooks abebooks shop for books. 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. Mitchell did not push his candidacy, but another top official of the mine. The country relied on coal to power commerce and industry and anthracite or hard coal was essential for domestic heating. During a strike in 1894, it became apparent that unions had more success recruiting at open camps. Therefore, it does not license or charge permission fees for use of such material and cannot grant or deny permission to publish or otherwise distribute the material. Anthracite coal strike commission appointed 1902 by president. When the operators refused, more than 100,000 miners and laborers walked off the job. Watch the mine wars american experience official site pbs.
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. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 university of minnesota. In his new introduction to the reissue of harlan miners speak, an onthescene report from a panel of writers about the coal strike in bell and harlan counties, john hennen skillfully explains the precipitating factors of the labor unrest. The political climate had changed between the coal strikes of 1900 and 1902. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 had a great impact on the united states. The real issue of the coal strike cartoons express opinion about the strike a description of anthracite mining written shortly after the strike ohio state university students can explore the anthracite strike on harpweek from the link on this page. The strike of 1900 was the prelude to a larger dramathe great anthracite coal strike of 1902.
The miners strike of 1902 was ended by a the arrest of. Coal strike of 1902 encyclopedia article citizendium. A coal miner stands on his front porch with his wife and their two children, in bertha hill, west virginia, september, 1938. The union representing these miners was the united mine workers of america, led by john mitchell. The 150,000 miners wanted their weekly pay envelope. The president came away from the episode emboldened to push for a progressive agenda. Miners struck for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union. Purposes and ideals philadelphia, american book and bible house, 1903, p.
Anthracite coal miners strike 1902 pennsylvania miners demanded 20% increase in pay and reduction of the working day from 10 to 9 hours. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 hardcover january 1, 1971 by robert j. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 washington, 1957, a product of thorough research, gives a detailed and conventional description of the strike. The national coal strike of 1912 was the first national strike by coal miners in britain. 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. First of all, the strike led states to form state police forces and do away with hired gun commissions. The coal strike of 1902 began in may 1902 when the coal operators in the. This volume is an invaluable source book for anyone searching for the meaning of the strike. Nor was there a strike comparable to the great anthracite coal strike of 1902. Read about the strike and the presidents intervention, and check your understanding with. Once the strike ended, the anthracite coal strike commission visited the coal region for a week of site visits. Anthracite coal miners strike 1902 a strike that involved miners, and that endangered americans.
The miners strike of 1902 was ended by a the arrest of striking miners for. 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 one hindrance to traffic was the flood season of. Thats what men would do to take care of their families. Cornell author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Wealthy travelers are starting to book yearend vacations. 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. The pennsylvania center for the book great anthracite.
Chronology of the anthracite coal strike of 1902 ehistory. Learn how teddy roosevelt saved the day in mediating an end to the anthracite coal miners strike of 1902. 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 miners strike of 1902 was ended by a the arrest school georgia institute of technology. Nov 03, 2010 the coal strike proved the power of the labor unions. It was led by arthur scargill of the national union of mineworkers num against the national coal board ncb, a government agency. Ap us history chapters 28 and 29 flashcards quizlet. The miners strike of 198485 was a major industrial action to shut down the british coal industry in an attempt to prevent colliery closures.
This is a topic suggestion on the anthracite coal strike of 1902 from paper masters. The pennsylvania center for the book great anthracite coal. Price new from used from hardcover, january 1, 1971 please retry. Harbaugh, the life and times of theodore roosevelt new york.
What a 1902 coal strike tells us about essential workers today. 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. 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. Armed miners at the military headquarters of the united mine. A muckraking author who wrote the muckraking book that described in horrifying detail the conditions in the chicago stockyards and meat packing industry. The library of congress does not own rights to material in its collections. 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. The coal industry known for its boom and bust cycles was in a slump.
John mitchell, who at the age of 28 became president of the united mine workers in. The coal strike of 1902 was a strike by the united mine workers of america in the anthracite coalfields 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. Tips, strategies, and resources to bring your coal mining ancestors to the surface to critical acclaim, work has begun in earnest to write and publish conducting coal miner research. President theodore roosevelt feared untold miserywith the certainty of riots which might develop into social war. By wielding his bully pulpit, roosevelt used his power to push. Perspective on the 1902 anthracite coal strike 1st edition by robert a. The great anthracite coal strike of 1902 newspaper archives. The coal strike proved the power of the labor unions. 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. Song hedwigs theme from harry potter and the sorcerers stone artist robert ziegler.
The commission then held three and half months of hearings, in which john mitchell presented much of the evidence for the mine workers. Coal miners during world war ii honest historyhonest. The tempest threatened to begin in the anthracite coal mines of northeastern. Wright, to investigate the strike and report back with his findings. Opposition to the strike was led by the conservative government of prime minister margaret thatcher, who wanted to. After a weeklong investigation in the mines, the commission began hearing testimony from hundreds of representatives of the workers and their employers, the. Theodore roosevelt helped to end the 1902 strike in the anthracite coal mines by a using the military to force the miners back to work b passing legislation making the miners union illegal c helping the mine owners to import strike breakers d appealing to mine owners and workers sense of the public interest. John mitchell theodore roosevelt inaugural national historic site. Early mine workers organizations in the anthracite region jstor. All things considered the strike of the coal miners of the united states is probably the most serious event in industrial affairs that ever occurred in this country. Restless miners demanded more pay and shorter hours, while the mine operators complained that profits were low, and that the union destroyed discipline. 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. Miners struck for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union. Apr 24, 2017 a coal miner stands on his front porch with his wife and their two children, in bertha hill, west virginia, september, 1938.
Perspective on the 1902 anthracite coal strike 9780930973285. Coal miners during world war ii honest historyhonest history. Roosevelts conference ended in an impasse, he threatened to take over the mines and and run them with the army. Anthracite coal miners near hazelton prepare to go into the mine. The revised release date is fallwinter of 201 7 and the projected retail price will be twenty dollars. To determine how many people are willing to make the washington establishment aware of how devastating they have been on the coal industry. The history of federal government intervention in labor matters up to this time showed a clear favoritism for management. The issues that led to the strike of 1900 were just as pressing in 1902.
Pennsylvania anthracite coal workers strike for better wages. At that time, residences were typically heated with. Anthracite coal strike commission appointed 1902 by. Apr 25, 2017 the coal mining massacre america forgot. Anthracite coal strike the 1902 strike in which theodore roosevelt summoned both sides to the white house and, after threats of seizure and use of troops, reached a compromise of a 10% pay increase and a ninehour day. Emboldened by their success, and smoldering at their continued exploitation and a history of injustices, some 150,000 miners went out on strike again in may 1902. Debs published in locomotive firemens magazine, vol. The anthracite coal strike in northeastern pennsylvania had been going on for over four months with no signs of ending. After a million men had walked out for 37 days the government intervened and ended the strike by passing a minimum wage law. Doris kearns goodwins book leadership in turbulent times looks at.
After over a decade of delivering the presentation coal dust in your veins. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major american cities. This book and a copy of the chapter are on reserve in the main library for the autumn 1999 quarter. Now state police would work for both sides to uphold the law. 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. Clarence darrow made the closing arguments on behalf of the union.
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