The 1877 Railroad Strike

The Great Railway Strike of 1877 brought the nation's commerce to a screeching halt, and the violence that erupted in Baltimore and Pittsburgh shook the nation. In the aftermath of Civil War and Reconstruction, the great strike seemed especially ominous. Railroad workers led this first national strike in American history, exploiting the very network that was the instrument of national unity. Compare the coverage, especially language, tone, and policy recommendations in the various newspapers.

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Views of the Strike