Carlos A. Schwantes, author of Coxey's Army: An American Odyssey, sums up: “The story of
the Coxey movement is ultimately a case study of how ordinary citizens influence — or fail to
influence — political and economic issues in modern America.”
the Coxey movement is ultimately a case study of how ordinary citizens influence — or fail to
influence — political and economic issues in modern America.”
TIMELINE:
1872 P. B. S. Pinchback of Louisiana becomes America's first black governor. It would be 127 years
before L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia became the second.
before L. Douglas Wilder of Virginia became the second.
1875 Irish coal miners in Pennsylvania organize as the “Molly Maguires” (named for an Irish
revolutionary organization).
revolutionary organization).
1877 The last words of Crazy Horse: “We preferred our own way of living. We were no expense
to the government. All we wanted was peace and to be left alone.”
to the government. All we wanted was peace and to be left alone.”
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IDA M. TARBELL AND OTHER “MUCKRAKERS”
“There were writers of the early twentieth century who spoke for socialism or criticized the
capitalist system harshly,” says Howard Zinn, “not obscure pamphleteers, but among the most
famous of American literary figures, whose books were read by millions.”
One such writer was Ida M. Tarbell (1857-1944), part of the original “muckrakers” (a term — not
exactly of endearment — coined by Teddy Roosevelt).
capitalist system harshly,” says Howard Zinn, “not obscure pamphleteers, but among the most
famous of American literary figures, whose books were read by millions.”
One such writer was Ida M. Tarbell (1857-1944), part of the original “muckrakers” (a term — not
exactly of endearment — coined by Teddy Roosevelt).
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