Great Railroad Strike Of 1877 Flashcards, test questions and answers

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What is Great Railroad Strike Of 1877?

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 was a major strike that affected the entire United States. This event took place in the summer of 1877 and lasted for three weeks, from July 14 to August 3. It began as an effort by railroad workers to protest wage cuts imposed on them due to the financial crisis in post-Civil War America. While it started out as a local strike involving just Baltimore & Ohio Railway employees in Martinsburg, West Virginia, it soon spread across the country and grew into one of the most significant labor disputes in American history. The cause of this massive upheaval was primarily rooted in economic hardship following the Civil War. Railroads had become essential to industry during this period and employed thousands of workers at various levels, including engineers, firemen, brakemen, switchmen and more. In response to their increased importance during Reconstruction Era America, many railways began increasing wages for these positions significantly throughout the 1870s; however, when a general economic depression hit after 1873 these increases were revoked or severely reduced without warning or consultation with employees. This led to widespread outrage among railroad workers who saw their wages cut by up to 40% overnight despite still having families to support. In response to this injustice, railroad workers banded together and went on strike against multiple rail companies throughout 1877. Initially peaceful protests quickly escalated into violence as mobs blocked tracks from operating while other protesters destroyed locomotives or set bridges on fire using dynamite or fuel oil cans taken from nearby stores or factories (the so-called Great Railroad Raid).