Following decades of systematic exploitation and oppression, miners in West Virginia tried at various times to unionize. The big coal operators, in turn, used every means at their disposal to thwart unionization. They hired detectives from the notorious Baldwin-Felts agency to intimidate and terrorize miners, and they bribed local law enforcement agencies to help carry out their anti-union agenda. This led to increased confrontation between miners and coal operators, such as the Paint Creek-Cabin Creek Strike of 1912-13, which was brutally suppressed.
By 1920, the United Mine Workers (UMW) had succeeded in organizing much of the West Virginia coalfields. Their attempts to unionize the coalfields of Mingo and Logan county, however, would be militantly opposed. Following the Matewan Massacre and the subsequent assassination of pro-union sheriff Sid Hatfield, the atmosphere became explosive.
When Hatfield's assassins were acquitted of murder, up to 13,000 miners took up arms and began marching toward Logan county. The bitterly anti-union sheriff of Logan county, Don Chafin, organized an army of around 2,000 men, comprised of local law enforcement, Baldwin-Felts agents, and various volunteers to block their advance at Blair Mountain, West Virginia.
The first skirmishes occurred on August 25, 1920, as miners advanced, and by August 29, the battle was in full scale. Chafin's private army, though outnumbered, held the high ground and was better armed. His force also had three biplanes at their disposal, which they used to drop bombs and gas on the miners (to little effect). By September 2, more than one million rounds of ammunition had been fired, resulting in the deaths of between 50 and 100 miners and 10 to 30 company men. Hundreds more had been wounded on each side. By September 2, Federal troops had arrived on the scene and the miners began to disperse.
The point of this post (despite appearances to the contrary) is not to recount the history of the Battle of Blair Mountain. The point, rather, is that if you went down the street, you wouldn't be able to find one person out of a hundred who has ever even heard of the Battle of Blair Mountain. You would think an event where 13,000 miners took up arms against their oppressors would be indelibly woven into the tapestry of the nation's history. But no, it has been deliberately omitted from the history curriculum.
People are not taught a working man's history. They are, instead, taught the rich man's history. The history of the titans of industry and of robber barons. Not one person in a hundred could tell you anything about the great Lawrence textile strike of 1912, the defeat of the 1913 Paterson silk strike, or the Ludlow massacre of 1914. Few could tell you anything about working class heroes like Big Bill Haywood, or Mary Harris "Mother" Jones.
The people are not taught their own history. And those who do not know their history are doomed to repeat it. The impression some people have that the labor struggles of that era are not relevant to our own is sadly mistaken. As all the gains that our forefathers fought, bled, and died for are being undone, one by one, we are being slowly being put back into their exact situation. We aren't back to the level of oppression and exploitation that existed in the 'company town' system of that era yet, but when every single initiative the Republicans back favors the wealthy over the working class, and the Democrats continue to prove themselves incompetent and spineless, it is only a matter of time before we get there.
Originally posted by rwingettWith the public education system the way it is, it is understandable that the minors feel trapped. I mean, what other job can they find with such little education and with unemployment out the ying yang. So I say, "Back to work slave!!"
Following decades of systematic exploitation and oppression, miners in West Virginia tried at various times to unionize. The big coal operators, in turn, used every means at their disposal to thwart unionization. They hired detectives from the notorious Baldwin-Felts agency to intimidate and terrorize miners, and they bribed local law enforcement agencies t ...[text shortened]... ide. By September 2, Federal troops had arrived on the scene and the miners began to disperse.
Originally posted by rwingettThis is why I always recommend Howard Zinn's "People's History of the United States." It recounts innumerable instances through U.S. history where workers' attempts to unionize or strike have been put down with unbelievable violence by the state (usually at the behest of private interests).
The point of this post (despite appearances to the contrary) is not to recount the history of the Battle of Blair Mountain. The point, rather, is that if you went down the street, you wouldn't be able to find one person out of a hundred who has ever even heard of the Battle of Blair Mountain. You would think an event where 13,000 miners took up arms against ...[text shortened]... themselves incompetent and spineless, it is only a matter of time before we get there.
Originally posted by SoothfastAn excellent book. Zinn will be missed.
This is why I always recommend Howard Zinn's "People's History of the United States." It recounts innumerable instances through U.S. history where workers' attempts to unionize or strike have been put down with unbelievable violence by the state (usually at the behest of private interests).
Originally posted by SoothfastHere here. Uhions should rule the world just like they do the public schools!!
This is why I always recommend Howard Zinn's "People's History of the United States." It recounts innumerable instances through U.S. history where workers' attempts to unionize or strike have been put down with unbelievable violence by the state (usually at the behest of private interests).