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Killing For Coal: America's Deadliest Labor War

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A Black And White Photograph Of Striking Coal Miners Facing Off Against Armed Guards During The Battle Of Blair Mountain Killing For Coal: America S Deadliest Labor War

The Battle of Blair Mountain

The Battle of Blair Mountain was the largest labor uprising in American history. It took place in Logan County, West Virginia, from August 21 to September 2, 1921. The battle was fought between striking coal miners and private guards hired by the coal companies. The miners were demanding better wages and working conditions, and the right to organize a union. The coal companies refused to negotiate, and the guards used violence to try to break the strike.

Killing for Coal: America's Deadliest Labor War

by Thomas G. Andrews

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	6950 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	399 pages

The battle lasted for five days and nights. The miners were eventually defeated, but they achieved some of their goals. The coal companies agreed to raise wages and improve working conditions, and the miners won the right to organize a union. The Battle of Blair Mountain was a turning point in the history of the American labor movement. It showed that workers could stand up to the power of big business and win.

The Miners' Story

The miners who fought in the Battle of Blair Mountain were ordinary men who were desperate for a better life. They worked long hours in dangerous conditions for low wages. They were often beaten and abused by the guards. But they refused to give up. They fought for what they believed in, and they made a difference in the world.

One of the miners who fought in the Battle of Blair Mountain was Sid Hatfield. Hatfield was a young man who had grown up in the coalfields of West Virginia. He had seen firsthand the poverty and hardship that the miners faced. He was determined to make a difference, and he joined the union.

Hatfield was a natural leader. He was brave and determined, and he inspired the other miners to fight for their rights. He was also a gifted orator, and he was able to rally the miners to his cause.

Hatfield played a key role in the Battle of Blair Mountain. He led the miners in several important battles, and he helped to keep the morale of the miners high. He was wounded in the battle, but he refused to give up. He continued to fight until the end.

Hatfield was a hero to the miners. He was a symbol of their struggle for a better life. He was also a reminder that ordinary people can make a difference in the world.

The Coal Companies' Story

The coal companies that fought against the miners in the Battle of Blair Mountain were some of the most powerful companies in the world. They had vast wealth and resources, and they were determined to crush the union.

The coal companies used violence and intimidation to try to break the strike. They hired private guards to beat and harass the miners. They also used the state government to suppress the union.

The coal companies were ultimately defeated in the Battle of Blair Mountain. But they did not give up. They continued to fight against the union for years. It was not until the 1930s that the union finally won the right to represent the miners.

The Legacy of the Battle of Blair Mountain

The Battle of Blair Mountain was a watershed moment in the history of the American labor movement. It showed that workers could stand up to the power of big business and win. It also helped to raise awareness of the plight of the coal miners.

The legacy of the Battle of Blair Mountain is still felt today. The union that the miners fought for is still in existence, and it continues to fight for the rights of workers. The battle also inspired other workers to stand up for their rights.

The Battle of Blair Mountain is a reminder that ordinary people can make a difference in the world. It is a story of courage, determination, and sacrifice. It is a story that should never be forgotten.

About the Book

"Killing For Coal: America's Deadliest Labor War" is a new book by author Tony Hudler. The book tells the story of the Battle of Blair Mountain in vivid detail. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the history of the American labor movement.

The book is available in hardcover, paperback, and e-book formats. It can be Free Downloadd from Our Book Library, Barnes & Noble, and other online retailers.

Killing for Coal: America's Deadliest Labor War

by Thomas G. Andrews

4.6 out of 5