Reflection
The Battle of Blair Mountain prompts reflection and deserves respect. It has directly and indirectly shaped the history of unionization in America. The miners of West Virginia were not well educated and many of them ignorant to the standards of their trade; they knew how to stick together through leaders like Mother jones. Their instincts and what little ability they had to organize provided them a chance to fight.
It has been nearly a century since thousands of pro-union miners marched into Logan County to protest the abuse caused by the coal operators on anti-union territory. Marchers met up at Blair Mountain in Logan County and fought against an army of men, resulting in a battle so heated that President Warren Harding called in troops to break up the fight.
Commemoration and Concerns
United Mine Workers of America celebrates this event on Labor Day to commemorate what they believe is one of the greatest events in America’s labor history. UMWA International President Cecil Roberts said that “this is the greatest insurrection in the history of these United States of America, other than the Civil War. We should be teaching this in every classroom in America.” UMWA believes that elected officials in the current day needs to be held accountable for their promises in “clean coal” technology. Roberts says, “make what we need in America. Protect coal mining jobs.” Even though there has been federal investment, the electric utility industry opted for natural gas and alternative fuels instead of coal. Coal is being left behind as a source of energy similar to how the history of Blair Mountain, and UMWA worries that there needs to be a more urgent focus in history and the future of the coal industry to not let the sacrifices of the past be in vain.
In order to pay homage to Battle of Blair Mountain this project highlights the background of America that showcases the events of coal striking and violence that ensued during the early 20th century. It is necessary to see what the primary resources detail and how the media portrays such events, which were illustrated in the newspapers. The Battle of Blair Mountain shall be remembered through this project and of federations such as the AFL-CIO. The coal miners of West Virginia and their struggle to secure their jobs has directly and indirectly shaped the history of unionization in America. Since the events of violent skirmishes and legislation passed, such as FDR’s New Deal, unions today have a greater ability to express their liberties granted to them by law. This project posits that the battle of Blair Mountain (and others that are similar e.g., Paint Creek, Cabin Creek, Matewan Massacre) were positively related to the passing of legislation to allow for better organization of labor. Without such fierce fights there may not exists such liberties today and for that we give thanks.
Miners of West Virginia turn their arms over to federal troops because of their unwillingness to fighting men who were veterans from the war.
