It was led by arthur scargill of the national union of mineworkers num against the national coal board ncb, a government agency. 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. Click on almost any picture in this story to see its full version. In 1902 the pennsylvania coal miners walked out of the mines in a wage dispute. In 1900, john mitchell attempted to negotiate with the coal. Learn the 1902 coal strike with free interactive flashcards. The history of federal government intervention in labor matters up to this time showed a clear favoritism for management.
The groundwork for the 1900 anthracite coal strike was laid by the unexpected. When the operators refused, more than 100,000 miners and laborers. In this book, keith dix explores the impact of technology on miners and operators during a crucial period in industrial history. On july 30, 1902 the great anthracite coal strike, which was already in progress, took a violent turn. Popular coal mining books meet your next favorite book. Their struggleand teddy roosevelts role in itwas to mark a turning point in labor history. Anthracite coal strike commission appointed 1902 by. But they suffocate before rescue workers can reach them. The greatest strike ever pennsylvania center for the book. Cornell author see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. The union representing these miners was the united mine workers of america, led by john mitchell.
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. 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. Music in the leader of the miners was willing to settle the strike by arbitration. His comparatively brief education in the public schools of the commonwealth has been supplemented, like that of many other americans in his walk of life.
Coal strike of 1902 project gutenberg selfpublishing. Miners struck for higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union. Coal strike of 1902 wikimili, the free encyclopedia. The miner by sara jolene meet your next favorite book. The anthracite coal strike of 1902 hardcover january 1, 1971 by robert j.
Fighting for safety standards, grievance procedures and better pay, workers in many trades held strikes to get the. For more than one hundred years, until the 1920s, coal production involved blasting a seam of coal and loading it by had into a mine car. The 1902 coal strike flashcards and study sets quizlet. The womens garment industry and the ilgwu in pennsylvania 2002. Jacob vowell continue reading a dying miners letter to his beloved wife 1902. When the two sides refused to negotiate, he threatened to use soldiers to man the mines during the strike, and the loss of money. The coal miners strike of 1897 187 the inauguration of a strike to enforce these demands was left to the discretion of the national executive board and district presidents of the united mine workers, who were instructed at the national convention to meet later in columbus, ohio, and decide when, in their judgment, the time had become opportune. Miners wages had not kept pace with those of other industrial workers since 1960.
The united mine workers of america umwa was formed in 1890. 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. What did roosevelt do when the united mine workers called. Teddy roosevelt and the 1902 coal miners strike britannica. Pennsylvania anthracite coal workers strike for better. This article comes from an american miner, resident all his life in the mining district of pennsylvania. This book and a copy of the chapter are on reserve in the main library for the autumn 1999 quarter. David edgar looks at the literature of the dispute and explores its legacy. 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 coal strike proved the power of the labor unions. 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. President theodore roosevelt, theodore roosevelt, coal miners, objects. The federal government was used to mediate and that became part of the square deal by roosevelt. The pennsylvania center for the book great anthracite.
The country relied on coal to power commerce and industry and anthracite or hard coal was essential for domestic heating. A strike of millionaires against miners or the story of spring valley by henry d. Choose from 10 different sets of the 1902 coal strike flashcards on quizlet. Immediately download the coal strike of 1902 summary, chapterbychapter analysis, book notes, essays, quotes, character descriptions, lesson plans, and more everything you need for studying or teaching coal strike of 1902.
Child coal miners with mules in gary, west virginia in 1908. The progressive moment announced itself in 1902 with a monthslong coal strike that revealed miners to be the essential and undervalued. How did president roosevelt respond to a coal miner strike. Chronology of the anthracite coal strike of 1902 ehistory.
Restless miners demanded more pay and shorter hours, while the mine operators complained that profits were low, and that the union destroyed discipline. The strike of 1900 was the prelude to a larger dramathe great anthracite coal strike of 1902. The coal strike of 1902 began in may 1902 when the coal operators in the. Read about the strike and the presidents intervention, and check your understanding with. The conventional story of the miners strike, which began 30 years ago, is now being challenged. The firemen and engineers walked out on june 2, and this solidified the strike. Anthracite coal strike 1902 the clarence darrow collection. The miners had left the anthracite fields on may 12, demanding wage. 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 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. Joe beddall, a hardware store owner, went to the assistance of his brother, a county deputy sheriff. The miners strike of 198485 was a major industrial action to shut down the british coal industry in an attempt to prevent colliery closures. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 for kids theodore roosevelt was the 26th american president who served in. Price new from used from hardcover, 1971 please retry. Purposes and ideals philadelphia, american book and bible house, 1903, p. The pennsylvania miners strike in 1902, a major strike of miners in the coal regions of eastern pennsylvania usa in may october 1902. In the late 1920s, operators introduced machines into the mines, including the coal loader. The nonenglish speaking miners, introduced to break labor organizations, had. 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. 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. The library of congress does not own rights to material in its collections. Chief john ross anthracite coal strike land of the south slavs. Roosevelts conference ended in an impasse, he threatened to take over the mines and and run them with the army.
The early 20th century was marked by tensions between workers and employers. Ap us history chapters 28 and 29 flashcards quizlet. 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. The phrase became the rallying slogan for the 1900 strike as well as the famous 1902 anthracite coal strike, which won better working conditions, a shorter workday and wage hikes. Miners were on strike asking for higher wages, shorter workdays and the recognition of their union.
Gray mountain by john grisham, fall of giants by ken follett, faith, hope, and ivy june by phyllis reynolds naylor, how gre. The west virginia mine wars culminated in the nations largest armed uprising since the civil war. On october 3, 1902, president theodore roosevelt met with miners. Pennsylvania anthracite coal workers strike for better wages and working conditions, 1902. 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. This volume is an invaluable source book for anyone searching for the meaning of the strike. All 216 miners working underground at the fraterville coal mine in tennessee, are killed by an explosion. The result was a settlement that granted the anthracite miners a wage. In 1898, john mitchell, a bituminous coal miner from illinois, was elected the president of the umwa. Doris kearns goodwins book leadership in turbulent times looks at. Learn how teddy roosevelt saved the day in mediating an end to the anthracite coal miners strike of 1902. See more ideas about coal mining, coal miners and history. Anthracite coal miners near hazelton prepare to go into the mine.
He was brutally murdered by a mob of his own neighbors in the first ward of shenandoah, pa. The coal strike of 1902 was a strike by the united mine workers of america in the anthracite coalfields of eastern pennsylvania. Opposition to the strike was led by the conservative government of prime minister margaret thatcher, who wanted to. 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 strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to all major cities homes and apartments were heated with. Working conditions were brutal for coal miners, and unionization was violently suppressed.
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 other major type of coal used for fuel is bituminous coal, a relatively soft coal that contains a tarlike substance called bitumen. 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 of 1902 law library digital. Anthracite coal strike of 1902 washington, 1957, a product of thorough research, gives a detailed and conventional description of the strike. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major american cities. Perspectives on the 1902 anthracite coal strike 2002 by kenneth c.
But the head of the mine owners was definitely not. A dying miners letter to his beloved wife 1902 flashbak. What a 1902 coal strike tells us about essential workers today. Some of those 26 spend their final hours writing letters to loved ones. How a 1897 massacre of pennsylvania coal miners morphed. The 1972 uk miners strike was a major dispute over pay between the national union of mineworkers num and the conservative edward heath government of the united kingdom.
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