Curated OER
The Growth of the American Labor Movement
Explore the world of labor unions and organized strikes of the early 20th century in this presentation. With stark pictures of child laborers and striking workers, these slides are sure to leave an indelible impression on your students-...
Other
Economic History Services: The Us Coal Industry in the Nineteenth Century
A look at the coal industry in the United States across the entire nineteenth century. Halfway through the page there is information about the advent of unions to represent the coal miners doing such a dangerous job.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Expore Pa History: Stories From Pa History: Labor Strikes and Mine Disasters
Read about the dangers of coal mining in Pennsylvania, the emergence of unions in an attempt to protect the miners, and some of the mining disasters that took place in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Other
Lehigh University: The Molly Maguires
An interesting site compiled by a Lehigh University undergraduate student, regarding a secret mining organization known as the "Molly Maguires" who operated in the Pennsylvania coal mines during the latter part of the 19th century.
University of Missouri
Famous Trials: Molly Maguires Trials (1876 77)
In 1875, a writer of the time observed, there came from coal-mining district of Pennsylvania "an appalling series of tales of murder, of arson, and of every description of violent crime." Mine company superintendents and bosses "could...
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: The Molly Maguires
Learn about the Molly Maguires, a secret society of Irish coal miners in Pennsylvania who led the 'Long Strike of 1875' which resulted in 20 members being unjustly hanged for murder.