DCS-8d7a850e-787e-e711-80cb-005056af4099

Page 1

Author & Publication Information

• Maureen A. Flanagan, Domestic Troubles, Foreign Engagement

• Location: From America Reformed

• Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc, 2007

• Pages: 219-241

Copyright Notice

• Copyright subsists in the extract and original work.

• Students can access, download, and print the material only for course-related use.

• Copies must include the copyright notice and should be destroyed when required by Loughborough University.

Page 2

The Ludlow Massacre

• Context: Early spring; miners struck and were evicted from company housing.

• Miners lived in tents at Ludlow, fearing for their children’s safety.

• They dug a cave for protection during attacks.

The Attack:

• On April 20, 1914, the colony was attacked by the state militia, resulting in numerous deaths (2 women, 11 children burned).

• The miners fought back, leading to military intervention by President Wilson to restore order.

Background on the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company:

• Owned by John D. Rockefeller.

• Poor working conditions, low wages (~$2/day), “scrip” payments usable only at company stores.

• The Western Federation of Miners' organizing efforts were suppressed.

Reactions:

• The incident highlighted the disparity between business interests and workers' rights, reinforcing the idea that business controlled the country despite progressive reforms.

Page 3

Political Context in 1914

• Wilson’s New Freedom failed to meet many progressives' social reform aspirations.

• Acquiesced to racial segregation; resisted federal social policies; opposed woman suffrage.

Economic Struggles

• Early recession tied to global issues affected U.S. production; unemployment rose significantly.

• Strikes and protests by the unemployed surged, leading to a meeting of the Women's Trade Union League.

Radical Actions

• Hull House hosted meetings of the unemployed, emphasizing demonstrations of poverty.

• Progressive women took bold actions against social injustices despite pressure from authorities.

Strike Areas

• 1886-1919 saw major strike areas highlighted, reflecting the tensions in labor relations.

Page 4

The Impact of World War I on Society

• The war in Europe complicated progressive voices within the U.S.

• Economic recovery was seen by some as a mixed blessing but was directly tied to war demand.

Business Interests

• U.S. engaged in massive loans to belligerent nations, leading to a growing belief in the war's economic necessity.

Preparedness Campaign

• Wilson's push for military readiness raised concerns among progressives about a potential war.

• Secretary of State Bryan resigned over Wilson's militaristic approach, leading to tension within the administration.

Page 5

The 1916 Presidential Campaign

• Wilson ran on the platform of peace amidst rising international tensions and economic pressures.

• He emphasized domestic social reforms while criticizing the Republicans’ positions.

Female Voter Impact

• With millions of women eligible to vote, both parties recognized the need to appeal to them, yet offered little substantial change.

Jeannette Rankin's Election

• Marked a significant victory for women; she campaigned on social justice issues but notably voted against the war soon after her election.

Page 6

Growing Tensions and War

• Wilson's stance eventually shifted from neutrality to actively arming merchant ships, fueling fears among progressives.

Socialist Opposition

• Critics such as Kate Richards O'Hare argued for prioritizing social needs over war readiness.

Women's Responses

• Progressive women organized peace efforts, but many shifted towards supporting involvement in the war as conditions evolved.

Divergent Progressive Views on War

• Many progressives began to view engagement in the war as a necessary step toward international reform.

Page 7

Domestic Reform Amid War Efforts

• Progressive involvement in the war often aimed to tie the war effort to domestic reforms.

Labor Movements

• Labor organizations sought to improve conditions during the wartime economy, with significant involvement from women.

Progressive Strategy

• Many progressives believed wartime mobilization would advance their reform agendas in the post-war period.

Page 8

Patriotism and Dissent

• War enthusiasm led to a crackdown on dissent; the Committee on Public Information sought to unify the nation’s resolve.

Repression of Dissent

• Laws such as the Espionage and Sedition Acts curtailed free speech and targeted radical elements, especially socialists and labor organizers.

Labor Rights Under Fire

• Many strikes were met with government and military intervention, showcasing the tension between patriotic duty and labor rights.

Page 9

Racial and Labor Struggles

• The returned soldiers and workforce clashed with African Americans over jobs, leading to racial violence.

Post-War Realities

• White intransigence toward black veterans fueled racial riots in several cities, notably Chicago.

Calls for Representation

• African American leaders sought inclusion in peace discussions but were largely ignored.

Page 10

Aftermath of the War

• The return to nationalism stifled progressive reform efforts; wartime measures were quickly dismantled.

Red Scare and Suppression

• Anti-communist sentiment grew, leading to widespread suspicion and the targeting of diverse political movements.

Failure of the Progressive Agenda

• Post-war governance turned against labor, civil rights, and progressive reforms, leading to a national shift towards conservatism and repression.

Context

• In early spring 1914, miners at Ludlow, Colorado, faced eviction from company housing.

• Families were compelled to live in makeshift tents while fearing for their children’s safety due to ongoing tensions and violence.

• They constructed a cave as a means of protection during expected attacks from state forces and company sympathizers.

The Attack

• On April 20, 1914, the colony was attacked by the Colorado state militia, resulting in a brutal confrontation.

• The attack led to the tragic deaths of numerous individuals, including two women and eleven children, whose lives were claimed by the fire set during the attack.

• In response to the violence, the miners defended themselves, prompting military intervention from President Woodrow Wilson, who sought to restore order amidst the chaos.

Background on the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company

• The company, owned by John D. Rockefeller, had a notorious reputation for maintaining poor working conditions alongside low wages, which averaged around $2 per day.

• Workers were often paid in “scrip” — a company currency that could only be used at company-owned stores, trapping them in a cycle of dependency.

• The effective organizing efforts of the Western Federation of Miners encountered aggressive suppression, highlighting the significant power imbalance between business interests and labor rights.

Reactions

• The Ludlow Massacre galvanized public perception by showcasing the egregious disparity between corporate power and workers' rights, significantly reinforcing sentiments about business domination over national governance despite the efforts of progressive reforms.