Looking At Our Past
Patriotism requires hard conversations and examining our history. As we look to a future with Biden in the White House, let’s look at times America joined forces with the wealthiest to suppress our freedoms.
1787 — Three-Fifths Compromise
Compromising the value of human life and the deservedness of representation set a precedent for America’s future. Pro-slavery business interests were worried that abolitionists would ban slavery. Abolitionists were concerned that slavery would become a pillar of America.
1877 — Railroad Strike of 1877
During an economic recession, B&O Railroad announced another series of wage cuts for railroad workers. A strike was announced and large crowds of supporters joined the workers to prevent trains from leaving the station. Police and state militias were called in to disperse the protestors. Anti-Communist propaganda was disseminated to reduce popular support and Federal troops fired upon strikers until the will to fight was gone from most.
1894 — Pullman Strike
Economic panics became more common during the 19th century. Over speculation and little regulation affected the middle and lower classes disproportionately. As wealthy business owners gained power within the Federal government, they promoted anti-union policies. Paternalistic employers like George Pullman controlled employees by limiting their freedoms. In 1894, more than 250,000 workers attempted to stop all rail service in America to protest the treatment of Pullman. President Grover Cleveland ordered federal troops to Chicago to break up the resistance. Dozens of strikers were killed using sabers and rifles and more propaganda was disseminated to swing public favor away from workers.
1912–1921 — West Virginia Mine Wars
Nearly a decade of battles in West Virginia between miners demanding safer working conditions and better wages culminated in the United States Air Force dropping bombs on men, women, and children living in tents.
1921 — Black Wall Street Massacre
Racist residents of Tulsa were enraged that their worldview was being threatened. Violence against Black Americans was tacitly encouraged by city officials. Lynchings grew more common as the police and mayor were either involved or complicit. When Dick Rowland, a well-regarded shoe-shiner, was arrested for attempted assault against a white girl, calls for his lynching filled the newspapers. The Black community rallied to the Sherriff’s aid and surrounded the jail. Violence continued to escalate. Four days after Rowland’s arrest, the Oklahoma National Guard was called in to put down the “Black mob”. Business interests quickly moved in to capitalize on the destruction and further strained race relations.
