Violence Erupts in the Middle East

Two months following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the longest war in United States history was launched against Afghanistan. Soon after the war was launched the leader of Afghanistan, Osama bin Laden, was forced out of power. Although the United States thought they had done their job of bringing democracy to Afghanistan, they were unable to leave due to groups such as Sunnis and Shiites. In June 2011, President Barack Obama stated that the United States had achieved their goal in Afghanistan, and set a plan in motion that would bring all U.S. troops home by 2014. In February, 2012, Defense Secretary, Leon E. Panetta declared that U.S. troops would end combat operations in Afghanistan as early as mid-2013. Although United States troops have played a large role in restoring peace to Afghanistan, there have been some questionable decisions made by U.S. troops. On February 24, 2012, violent protests broke out throughout Afghanistan in response to several Korans being burnt at the NATO air base on February 20. The commander of the air base apologized and admitted that what took place Monday was a horrible mistake. In an effort to control the protesters, seven people were killed and 65 people were injured. Eventually police were able to control the protesters and by the end of the day the violence seemed to be resolved.

In March of 2011, residents of a small southern city in Syria took to the streets to protest the government torturing students that put up anti-government graffiti. Government forces rushed to the small city and used forceful action to end the protests. Protests began to form throughout the country, criticizing the Syrian government and President Bashar al-Assad. In response to the protests Bashar al-Assad sent troops and tanks into cities throughout Syria in an effort to put the protests to an end. The struggle continued into the summer and many former loyal soldiers began to change sides and launch attacks on the government. Nearly a year after the protests began; the struggles between the Syrian government and protestors continue. According to the United Nations, over 5,400 Syrians were killed, thousands are missing, and there are 25,000 Syrian refugees in other countries.

Research Question

I am learning about the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 because I want to aprehend a better understanding of how violence played a part in this strike and what effect this strike had on prior labor disputes.

"How did the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 impact prior labor disputes and how did violence play a role in these disputes?"

Panic of 1873
The Panic of 1873came as a result of both national and international economic problems. With the United States Government low on money as a result of the Civil War, it was forced to cell government bonds to European Countries, in an effort to help revitalize the United States economy. In 1866, wars and other variable brought an economic downfall through out Europe. This economic depression soon reached the United States.On september 19, 1873, also known as Black Friday, it was announced by the New York Stock Exchange that the investment banking firm of Jay Cooke & Company had collapsed. the collapse of such a large firm caused panic in the stock market. In an effort to prevent other firms from collapsing the New York Stock Exchange closed on September 20th and remained closed for 10 days. Dispite the New York Stock Exchange's effort many businesses began going bankrupt. By 1875 50,000 men were unemployed and wage cuts became a common thing in businesses. These wage cuts and layoffs of workers lead strikes and labor violence.
http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/252783?terms=the+panic+of+1873

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877
Following the Panic of 1873, many businesses began to lay off workers and enforce pay cuts. On July 16, 1877, Baltimore & Ohio Railroad put a 10 percent pay cut into effect. As a result to this pay cut, a strike emerged. Strikers planned to demonstrate their unhappiness by standing in front of passenger and freight trains so they could not move, but violent riots often broke out during these demonstrations. Before these incidents the United States government had no policy when it came to labor disputes because it was thought to be outside of federal jurisdiction. Federal Judge Thomas S. Drummond made a radical decision and held Indianapolis strikers in contempt for obstructing in the receivership of the United States. On July 29, troops with the influence of the judicial system ended the uprising of strikers. When the strike ended railroad workers did not receive the wages they desired and many of the participants lost their jobs or ended up in jail. Although the railroad strike was not very effective it had a lasting impact on future labor disputes, “It also ushered in a decade of national labor struggles that culminated in the 1894 Pullman strike” (ABC CLIO). The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 not only showed the unfair working conditions for Baltimore & Ohio Railroad workers, but it also presented a basis for other company workers to go against unfair labor conditions.
http://ebooks.abc-clio.com/reader.aspx?isbn=9781576078679&id=AMECPHE.291&q=great railroad strike 1877

The 1894 Pullman Strike
In the 1880s the Pullman Sleeping Car Company was substantially profiting as a result of the success in the railroad business. Up until 1893 the Pullman Sleeping Car Company was doing very well in a business stand point until the Panic of 1893 emerged within the United States. The Pullman Sleeping Car Company’s revenue declined substantially as a result. In order to stay afloat the Pullman Sleeping Car Company had to lay off one third of its employees. The employees who were not laid off were forced to accept a 25 percent pay deduction. Workers who belonged to the American Railway Union attempted to negotiate with owner G. Pullman, but their requests were denied. On May 11, 1893, the remaining workers at Pullman Sleeping Car Company voted to strike for higher pay. Soon railway workers across the country began to get involved in the strike. Like the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, violence began to erupt across the country as a result of the strike. On July20, 1894, the strike ended and employees began to return to work. The hard work put in by the strikers did not amount to nothing, “Just six days later, President Cleveland signed into law legislation that created a national Labor Day to appease the workers of the United States” (ABC CLIO). President Cleveland signed the law that created the national Labor Day in order to please the workers within the United States and to prevent future strikes from taking place.
http://ebooks.abc-clio.com/reader.aspx?isbn=9781576078679&id=AMECPHE.492&q=1894 pullman strike

Great Railroad Strike of 1877

In 1877, many large railroad firms began to fail. As a result a lot of these firms cut employment and wages. As a result to these new conditions, many railroad employees began to go on strike. In West Virginia, B&O workers blocked freight trains from moving and threatened to continue if the pay cuts were not reversed. Militia troops were called, in an attempt to stop the strikers. Due to the Militia being unwilling to use force, they were unsuccessful in stopping the strikers. By the time the Governor called for federal troops the strike had spread to Baltimore, where a violent struggle erupted between the state Militia and the strikers. The strikes began to spread throughout the country whereever there was railroad. Throughout the nation strikers began taking violent measure. Strikers formed violent mobs and began to create damage. In response to these violent mobs federal troops fired into crowds of strikers, killing and injuring many people. The Great Railrod Strike of 1877 was the first event in a 20 year struggle between business and labor.

http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/308620?terms=great+railroad+strike+of+1877

Racial Injustice is Not Gone

Kentucky Church Bans Interracial Couples

Although many might believe that after the Civil Rights Movement ended, racial discrimination ended as well. I'm afraid that is not the case. Racism continues to play a large role in many communities. In Kentucky a small Appalachian church banned interracial couples from attending. Stella Harville and her black fiance Ticha Chikuni were the interracial couple banned from the church. After one service in which Harville and Chikuni sang and played the piano to a hymn, the pastor approached them and said that Chikuni could not sing anymore. When asked why, the pastor stated that members of the church threatened to leave if Chikuni ever sang again. Chikuni's future mother-in-law asked the pastor who threatened to leave the church. The pastor responded "Me, for one." When a leader of a communities such as a pastor refuses to accept someone, it sends a negative message to the communities and influences the communities to not accept that person as well. Not only did this incident effect Chikuni and Harville but it affected every interracial couple throughout the country. One major purpose of the Civil Rights Movement was to gain acceptance. How can one say the fight for equal rights is over when there is still discrimination taking place within the country. Not only does this show African Americans that the fight for equality is still going on, but it also depicts a negative message for whites who are willing to accept people of different races and religious beliefs.

Identifying Jim

Emotional:

• Caring
• Uplifting
• Superstitious
• Hard Working
• Brave
• Stubborn
• Spiritual
• Inspiring
• Proud

Physical:

• Muscular
• Hairy
• Black

Similar:

This image shows Jim, a muscular young man, laughing and joking with Huck and another boy. This picture went along with my interpretation of Jim because like my interpretation it shows a proud, muscular, black man with an uplifting spirit. Even though Jim was a black man growing up in slavery he managed to keep a smile on his face.


In this picture Jim has pulled Huck in close to him and is hugging him, in a sense of comfort, almost like a father would do to a son. This Image reflects my description of Jim because one of Jim's greatest attributes is his thoughtfulness towards others. In this picture Jim looks as though nothing else in the world matters besides providing comfort to his friend.

Least Similar:

In this image Jim is sitting under a tree relaxing and watching a child. This is not similar to my description of Jim because instead of showing a hard working man, this picture shows a lazy slave relaxes under trees all day.


This picture illustrates Jim with a frightened expression on his face, running away from something. This image does not go along with my description of Jim, because I described Jim as a hard working brave man. Even though he ran away in fear that he would be sold, he still showed a lot of courage because of the risk of getting caught.


The image of Huck standing over Jim on his knees asking Huck to spare him is the best representation of the books text. Mark Twain describes Jim as a very superstitious person. There were many examples in the book that showed Jim as a superstitious person. For example, Jim made up this whole elaborate story how he was kidnapped by witches. Jim also believes in a magic clump of hair in which he believes can tell the future. The best example of Jim being superstitious is represented in this image. Rather than assuming Huck is alive, Jim believes he is staring into the eyes of Huck's ghost. Jim then gets down on his hands and knees and begs Huck's ghost to spear him. Jim is a man who would risk his life for others even if he can act foolish at times he always puts others before himself. As I read further in the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn the I will learn more about Jim and be able to get a better understanding of Jim's personality and emotions.

Your Greatest Opponent is Yourself

"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself. Nothing can bring you peace but the triumph of principles."