The Coal Mining Massacre America Forgot

Introduction to Coal Mining Massacre in Matewan

  • Contextual background on Matewan, West Virginia, highlighting its significance in coal mining history.

  • The event unfolds on May 19, 1920, characterized by an armed confrontation.

Key Figures and Events

  • Pro-Union Figures:

    • Sheriffs and mayors who supported unionization efforts.

    • Sid Hatfield: Police chief of Matewan.

    • Cabell Testerman: Mayor of Matewan.

  • Anti-Union Figures:

    • Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency: Anti-union mercenary group acting on behalf of coal companies.

The Showdown

  • Nature of the confrontation:

    • Eviction of miners from homes owned by the Stone Mountain Coal Company.

    • Escalating tensions leading to violence resulting in 10 deaths: 7 Baldwin-Felts agents, 2 miners, and the mayor.

Historical Context

  • Description of the working conditions in the coal industry:

    • Brutal living and sanitary conditions for miners bound in system akin to feudalism.

    • Role of coal corporations in community life, creating dependency on coal mining for survival.

Suppression of Unionization

  • Tactics used by the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency to suppress mining union efforts:

    • Intimidation, threats, and violence against union organizers.

    • Implementation of yellow-dog contracts: Agreements prohibiting union membership as a condition of employment.

The 1912 Strike

  • Background of the massive miners' strike:

    • In 1912, 6,000 miners declared war against mining companies leading to significant confrontations.

    • State militia's involvement in confiscating weapons (1,872 rifles, 556 pistols, 225,000 rounds of ammunition).

Post-World War I Dynamics

  • Transition of the post-World War I industrial landscape:

    • Increasing consolidation of corporate power against rising union empowerment.

    • Notable figures advocating for workers’ rights, such as John L. Lewis of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA).

    • Successful 1919 strike involving 400,000 UMWA members.

The Matewan Conflict's Escalation

  • Mechanics and outcomes of the violence in Matewan:

    • May 19th conflict as culmination of years of oppression and conflict.

    • Debate regarding the initiating party of violence (Hatfield vs. Baldwin-Felts agents).

Aftermath and Broader Implications

  • Reactions to the Matewan Massacre:

    • Public perceptions influenced by media portraying miners as violent.

    • Government response via intervention of federal troops ordered by President Warren Harding.

  • Consequences for Miners:

    • Hundreds of miners indicted for murder or treason.

    • Significant decline in UMWA membership and loss of region's local autonomy post-incident.

Historical Perspectives and Analysis

  • Contrasting narratives about heroes and villains in the context of Matewan.

    • The complexity of human agency within class conflict, where both sides held distinct beliefs about their purposes.

  • Ongoing struggles in labor rights and worker treatment in coal mining history echoing present-day issues.

    • Importance of historical unity among workers against corporate power as illustrated by the Matewan events.

Modern Reflections on the Matewan Massacre

  • Comparison of historical labor struggles with contemporary issues in labor rights.

    • Erosion of workers rights echoed in recent labor legislation failures and industry changes.

    • Commentary from miners like Terry Steele linking the past to the current fight for worker rights and safety, indicating cyclical struggles for fair treatment in labor relations.

  • Implications for future labor movements based on lessons drawn from history.