The Triangle Shirtwaist Fire
How many died?
146 workers
How did it start?
A dropped match or cigarette
When was it?
Afternoon of March 25, 1911
Who is Rose Schneiderman?
An immigrant worker who spoke out about the conditions and became a highly effective labor leader.
How were some victims identified?
By the names of the pay envelopes stuffed into their pockets or stockings before the fire
What did they agree to?
Decrease in work hours, increase in wage, and end the subcontracting system
What were some of the violations in the building?
Doors remained bolted shut, doors opened in, only two staircases, and no sprinkler system
What prevented workers from escaping?
Doors were locked and many were trapped behind hordes
The Women's Trade Union League did what in response to the fire?
Drew up lists of forceful resolutions such as appointing unofficial inspectors, gather delegates, and for workers to report any violations
True or False: Survivors were able to identify the corpses?
False
What happened to the fire escape?
It collapsed underneath all the weight.
What did workers do when they realized that the elevators were no longer working?
Jumped down the shafts (some survived)
Who were the owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory?
Max Blanck and Isaac Harris
Who visited the workers during the shirtwaist strike?
Max Blanck, one of the owners
Did the owners keep their promise?
No
Did the owners of the Triangle Shirtwaist Company ever pay for their actions?
No, they were acquitted.
Did the nets set up by the firemen work?
No. The workers tore through the nets and hit the ground.
What happened a year before the fire?
The "Uprising of the 20,000"
Where did the fire escape end?
The 2nd floor
What level did the fire ladders reach?
The 7th
What floors did the factory take place on?
The top 3 of 10
What did those at the fire escapes discover?
The window openings were rusted shut.
What is the "Uprising of the 20,000"?
Thousands of immigrant girls and women in the shirtwaist industry led a three long winter months of a general strike for working conditions.
True or False: The building was fireproof.
True
Did those in the "Uprising of the 20,000" come to an agreement with the owners?
Yes
What were the majority of the workers?
Young, Jewish women
What were Blanck and Harris charged with?
first and second degree manslaughter
