American Experience: The Mine Wars

Excellent history
Excllent history, well produced, of the hardships of miners , their efforts to improve their situation, the fierce resistance of mine owners, and the inevitable violence that resulted. A vivid chapter in American labor history and Appalachian heritage.

An important part of American history many people don’t know about.
Very interesting and educational documentary dealing with the organizing of coal miners in West Virginia at the beginning of the 20th century. Most folks today have no clue what these workers went through and the horrific working conditions they endured working for wages that neared on indentured servitude. Most folks today have never heard of companies paying their workers in “scrip”. Money that could only be used at a company owned store. Workers as young as 12 but often even younger working in the mines. Dangers of collapse or cave in, explosions, flooding. Very seldom has a documentary kept me on the edge of my seat. I’m now planning a visit to Matewan, WV to see for myself where so much of this took place.

Excellent
I found this documentary to be extremely interesting and very well done. I had never fully understood exactly who ‘Mother Jones’s’ was, what she accomplished, and why she represents…till this very day… a fighting force willing to stand toe-to-toe in the faces of those who wrongly oppress, exploit, and mistreat others. Coal Mining is, and always has been, a dangerous job. The working conditions miners encountered in order to scratch out a merger living for their families is unimaginable to the vast majority of us. Miners were frequently injured, or killed, while working. In addition to low wages, and dangerous working conditions, the miners and their families were further exploited by the Mine owners. High rents were charged for the substandard Company houses in which they lived. The inflated prices charged in the Company Stores left few alternatives to the miners, and their families, who had no alternative places in which to shop. The brave miners who even whispered a word of interest in unionization were subject to swift punishment. Many lost their jobs, their homes, and even their lives.

An American Story
My Welsh grandpa came from a long line of miners. Their children ran to their papas after their dark day underground. Miners held them in their arms & sang to clear their lungs. Before he died of the Black Lung, Grandpa told me about the mine wars. All about Capital versus Labor & his hero, John L. Lewis, a Welshman.This superb documentary focuses on West Virginia coal miners & their bloody struggle, second only to the Civil War. Archival film footage & photographs capture life in the coal mines & their families who “owed their life to the Company store.” It testifies to our government’s partnership with the Robber Barons to starve & murder the working Joes into submission to perpetual serfdom. Pioneered by Mother Jones, coal miners fought their oppressors. I suppose the good guys won, but doesn’t that tiny percent of Wealth & Power continue to rule & oppress us?

its been a steady struggle for the workers. Then and now,