A spectacular example of collective violence, the great strikes of 1877 was the first national strike and the first major strikes against the railroad industry. Introduction the strike of 1877, also known as the great strike took place on railroads across the nation. Striking workers would not allow any of the trains, mainly freight trains, to roll until this third wage cut was revoked. See more ideas about pittsburgh, hell on wheels and west virginia history. Camden station and the great railroad strike of 1877. Streets, railroads, and the great strike of 1877 by david. The great strike of 1877 was one of the largest and most violent urban uprisings in american history.
Through examination of three new york state cities albany, buffalo, and syracuse stowell concludes that the great strike was an urban phenomenon. Nick salvatore, railroad workers and the great strike of 1 877, labor history. What was the great railroad strike of 1877 answers. From baltimore to chicago, the great railroad strike of 1877 led to bloody clashes between workers and troops before it was finally put down by force. Streets, railroads, and the great strike of 1877, stowell. Choose from 16 different sets of great railroad strike of 1877 flashcards on quizlet. Louis, non railroad workers also abandoned city businesses, creating one of the nations first general strikes. Great railroad strike of 1877 project gutenberg self. For other books in the historical studies of urban america series, see madelon powers faces along the bar, john mcgreevys parish boundaries, gail. The great railroad strike of 1877 moves on to the pennsylvania railroad. The great railroad strike of 1877 came at a time when the country was in the grips of an economic depression. Survey of the great railroad strike of 1877, a series of violent rail strikes across the united states. The strike of 1877 teaching american history in maryland. Traditionally the great strike of 1877 was seen as a strike by railroad workers in reaction to wage cuts.
The great railroad strike of 1877, sometimes referred to as the great upheaval, began on july 14 in martinsburg, west virginia, united states and ended some 45 days later, after it was put down by local and state militias, and federal troops. The great railroad strike of 1877 was the countrys first major rail strike and witnessed the first general strikes in the nations history. For one week in late july of 1877, america shook with anger and fear as a variety of urban residents, mostly working class, attacked railroad property in dozens of towns and cities. Inspire a love of reading with prime book box for kids discover delightful. The strike was the result of continued wage cuts of the laborers such as engineers and trainmen, while many of the companies continued to pay out dividends to its stockholders.
More than 00 workers participated in the strikes, at the. Annotated bibliography great railroad strike of 1877. Streets, railroads, and the great strike of 1877 historical studies of. The great strikes of 1877 working class in american history. Learn great railroad strike of 1877 with free interactive flashcards. Video created by william carroll for the umbc practices in public history course with dr.
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