The Great Railroad Strike of 1877

President Hayes

after strike spreads to Philadelphia and Reading, President Hayes sent federal troops to end the strike - it has now crossed over state lines - the military ends the strike very quickly

response from governor of Maryland

does not tolerate this, sends in national guard - they do not back down like the militia, open fire on strikers - 10 dead, 25 wounded strikers fight back by rioting - they burn the train station as a sign of protest

militia response

militia would not use force and were therefore ineffective - militia consists of townspeople - they did not want to use force on people that they knew personally in response, governor calls for federal troops - gets nowhere with this plea (the government does not send an army for state issues)

beginning

started July 14, 1877 in Martinsburg, WV in response to wage cutting by the B & O Railroad state sent in militia to break the strike - when workers are on strike, the railroad is shut down, and we are very dependent on railroads for transporting people, goods, etc.

"sympathy strike"

the strike spreads to other railroads and states in support of the B & O Railroad employees - people put pressure on their management to help B & O and reach out to raise employee pay - these strikes are mainly in Cumberland, Maryland

violence in Pittsburgh

worst violence/riots - local law enforcement refused again to fire on strikers - July 21st: militia men bayonetted and fire upon rock-throwing strikers strikers retaliated - set fires that destroyed 39 buildings and 104 train cars - forced militia to shoot their way out (they were able to overwhelm the militia because of the number of strikers)