The Great Steel Strike and Its Lessons: The American Strike of 1919, its Causes and the Labor Unions Involved

Trade unionist and Marxist politician William Z. Foster explains the organization and failure of the steel strike in 1919, an action which saw much of America's metal industry grind to a halt. The metal industries had, owing to great leaps in technological advancement, shed many jobs during the early 20th century. This precarious situation, plus the fact that unions had been curbed after a number of violent actions in the 1890s, led to the situation of laborers becoming unbearable. Shortly after Armistice Day marked the end of World War I, a surge of discontentment was accompanied by organization of labor and strike action. Although successful for a number of weeks, to the point where President Woodrow Wilson had to intervene and placate the workers on strike, the owners of the mills mounted an effective campaign which eroded public support for the strikers. Police brutality against striking steelworkers was recorded, with several such incidents being unprovoked.