Preferred Name
Thomas
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
ORCID
https://orcid.org/0009-0007-7836-0638
Date of Graduation
5-11-2023
Semester of Graduation
Spring
Degree Name
Master of Arts (MA)
Department
Department of History
Second Advisor
Evan Friss
Third Advisor
Fawn-Amber Montoya
Abstract
The West Virginia Coal Mine Wars of 1912-1913 and 1920-1921 are most strongly associated with the use of government and military force against organized labor. A deeper examination of the contemporary newspapers in the state, associated with the Republican Party reveals the attitudes of the party toward labor. Looking at how these editors reacted to the key events of the mine wars reveals that the Republican Party of the time supported two principles: free enterprise and rule of law. This study shows how the importance of these key principles caused the editors loyal to the party to shift the blame for these strikes from the laborers to the coal companies.
Included in
Labor History Commons, Political History Commons, Public History Commons, United States History Commons
