The Coal Mining Massacre America Forgot

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to the Matewan Massacre and the historical context of coal mining and labor rights in the United States.

Matewan Massacre

A gunfight that occurred on May 19, 1920, in Matewan, West Virginia, marking a significant event in the coal miners' struggle for unionization.

Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency

A private detective agency known for suppressing union activities and violently evicting miners from their homes.

Unionization

The process of organizing workers to form or join a union in order to collectively bargain for better working conditions and wages.

Yellow-dog contracts

Employment agreements that required workers not to join a union as a condition of employment.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States who enacted the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933, improving labor conditions.

Collective action

The action taken together by a group of people, often seen in strikes or protests, to achieve common goals.

UMWA (United Mine Workers of America)

A labor union representing coal miners, which played a major role in advocating for miners' rights and benefits.

Martial law

The imposition of direct military control over normal civilian functions or civil law, often used in times of emergency.

Black lung disease

A disease caused by long-term inhalation of coal dust, primarily affecting coal miners.

Labor rights

Legal rights and protections afforded to workers, including the right to organize and bargain collectively.

1) Describe the working conditions for coal workers that led coal workers to try to unionize?

Coal workers faced hazardous environments, including exposure to harmful dust, long hours, low wages, and lack of safety measures, prompting them to seek unionization for better working conditions.

2) In 1912, what happened between miner and company guards?

In 1912, a violent confrontation occurred between coal miners and company guards during a strike in which guards attempted to break up the miners' protest, leading to significant unrest and casualties.

3) Post WW1 (ended 11/11/1918) how did the coal industry change?

Following World War I, the coal industry experienced a rise in demand due to economic recovery, but also faced labor unrest as workers sought better wages and conditions, leading to increased strikes and union activity.

4) What happened on May 19, 1920, in Matewan?

A shootout occurred between union miners and hired guards, resulting in several fatalities, which highlighted the intense labor disputes and violence surrounding the coal industry.