The strike of 1877. RAILROAD STRIKE OF 1877 2022-10-10
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The strike of 1877 was a significant event in American history, marked by widespread labor unrest and violence in cities across the country. The strike began on July 14, 1877, when workers at the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) went on strike to protest wage cuts and poor working conditions. The strike quickly spread to other railroads and industries, eventually involving an estimated 100,000 workers in 27 states.
The causes of the strike can be traced back to the economic recession of the 1870s, which had led to a decline in profits for many businesses and a corresponding reduction in wages for workers. In the railroad industry, in particular, wages had already been cut multiple times due to the increasing competition from other transportation methods such as the telegraph and the canal.
As the strike spread, it became increasingly violent. In many cities, strikes turned into riots, with clashes between workers and the police or militia. In Pittsburgh, for example, the strike turned into a full-blown rebellion, with workers setting fire to buildings and engaging in armed conflict with the authorities.
The strike was eventually put down, but it had a lasting impact on the labor movement in the United States. It was one of the first major strikes to involve workers from multiple industries and regions, and it demonstrated the potential for organized labor to shut down key industries and disrupt the economy. It also sparked a national debate about the rights of workers and the role of government in mediating labor disputes.
The strike of 1877 was a turning point in American history, and its legacy can still be felt today. It marked the beginning of a more organized and militant labor movement, and it laid the groundwork for future labor disputes and reforms. It also serves as a reminder of the struggles and sacrifices of working people throughout American history, and the ongoing fight for fair wages and working conditions.
Great Railroad Strike of 1877: What Was It and Why Did It Happen?
The strike quickly spread to other railroads, and by the end of the month, it had involved over 250,000 workers across 27 states. You must not stand behind riots and let violators of the law promote the destruction of property. The crowd, by then familiar with what was likely to follow, dispersed, and the regiment was not ordered to fire. The 100 Most Significant Events in American Business: An Encyclopedia. King, but he declined to meet. .
The Great Railway Strike of 1877 was a significant event in American history that marked the first nationwide strike in the country. The Baltimore American and Commercial Advertiser. Several other shots were fired at Vandergriff, striking him in the hand and arm. Their refusal transformed into a strike, as they were quickly joined by the rest of the crew. In 1886 nearly 700,000 workers went on strike. They fired into the crowd over ten minutes, killing three, and wounding 16.
The protesters attempted to thwart working railroads. Appomattox to Montmartre: Americans and the Paris Commune. Dear Sir: In view of the condition of affairs now existing in this city, and the violent demonstration that has taken place within the last hour, I would suggest that neither of the regiments of State militia be ordered to leave Baltimore this evening. In 1877, railroad workers were fighting for labor justice too. To the west, at the :68 A contingent of 50 marines was dispatched to the area to provide assistance.
Because of this, farmers and local merchants fed the strikers. Where was the Great Railroad Strike of 1877? Baltimore American and Commercial Advertiser. Great Railway Strike of 1877 Carroll's reply was published in the local papers: You have more to do than simply abstain from riotous proceedings. One police officer was injured. The History of the Great Riots: The Strikes and Riots on the Various Railroads of the United States and in the Mining Regions Together with a Full History of the Molly Maguires. He became the treasurer of Lackawanna County in 1879, and Mayor of Scranton in 1886. They expected to work and save for a few years and then return home.
To this end I request that the citizens organize patrols in their respective eneighborhoods, and keep their women and children off the public highways. The role of federal military forces in domestic disorders, 1877-1945. Combined Volume Value Edition, 8thed. Due to intense hostility in the region, these were the few niches open to them. This would have elevated the struggle to a qualitatively higher level. Even in areas beyond these small towns, canal workers of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal joined in the fight.
Every factory from Chicago Avenue to North Avenue was closed during the height of the strike. The armed forces retreated as 20,000 angry workers poured into the city, 5,000 of them fully armed. Some small shops even voluntarily closed and offered financial and material support to the strikers. It was completely disintegrated by the war itself. New England Families, Genealogical and Memorial: A Record of the Achievements of Her People in the Making of Commonwealths and the Founding of a Nation, Volume 4. Despite its ultimate failure, the Great Railway Strike of 1877 is considered a significant event in American history.
The Great Railroad Strike of 1877: A militant legacy of workers’ struggle
Federal Aid in Domestic Disturbances. Within a week, a total of 15,000 railway workers were on strike and, eventually, over 100,000 joined in the action. However, the strike had its impact on the city. When agreements could not be met when a workers issue arose, unions helped organize strikes against the company. During this layover period, they were on their own. The militia was constantly called in as strikebreakers; in Maryland the militia killed 10 protestors as they threw rocks and sticks.
All freight traffic in the city was brought to a halt. Workers grumbled about the loss of income in small groups, and by the end of the day railroad firemen began walking off the job. If you were sent out of town for four days and paid for only two, while you had to pay for your own room and board that, by themselves, exceeded your pay? A Court That Shaped America: Chicago's Federal District Court from Abe Lincoln to Abbie Hoffman. Moreover, striking railroad workers There were deeper fears at play too, especially among businessmen and politicians. The Great Railway Strike was fueled by a number of underlying issues, including the economic recession of the 1870s, the rise of corporate power and the decline of unions, and the growing discontent among workers over low wages and poor working conditions. The Republic for Which It Stands: The United States during Reconstruction and the Gilded Age, 1865-1896. Many states enacted conspiracy statutes.
