Railroad Riots of 1877
The Railroad Riot of 1877 was a labor riot that occurred across the Kingdom of America during the administration of Chancellor Abraham Lincoln and the reign of King Edward I.
The Conflict
Prelude
The tensions that preceded the riots had been brewing for several years following an econimic panis in 1873. With the gold rushes in California, Colorado, and Freeman, the need for railroads boomed into a massive industry. Much of the funding came from banks that disproportionately invested in shares, lending to the economic crisis. Much of this was also compounded by the death of Chancellor Salmon P. Chase and the refusal of congress to fill the vacant seat while preparations for inauguration were underway.
Labor conditions of the workers remained poor, with injuries and deaths becoming increasingly common. With the election of Abraham Lincoln to the office of Chancellor, many union laborers felt enfranchised by his pro-workers policies. Meanwhile the business elites labeled him as "socialist", believing Lincoln would enact similar revolutions that were seen in France following the French Civil War. Ultimately, in Martinsburg, Virginia, wages of the workers were cut for the third time that year by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company by 10% in order to pay shareholders dividends of the same amount.
Deployment
Following the wage cuts, many in Virginia that worked on the railroads went on strike, demanding higher wages and better conditions. With the lack of workers on the railroads, the trains were incapable of operating, bringing much of the American economy to a halt. Seeing this, workers in other states such as New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois joined in on the strike, forcing many governor to send in the militias. The fighting continued between the workers and the militias, and many of the citizenry flocked to the site of the corporations as they feared a possible rise of communism. Meanwhile, B&O President John W. Garrett called upon former militia leaders to return to arms to get the trains moving again. Laborers from other trades, however, joined the railroad workers in their fight for better conditions.
The Engagement
During the riots, the laborers and workers burned down much of the equipment for the railroads. Many of the worst occurred in Pennsylvania, where many of the robber barons in charge called for so-called "rifle diets" in response to increased wages. Many workers threw rocks at the militias, only to be bayoneted and fired upon in response. Many people were outraged, and burned down several stations and rail cars.
Outcome
Though Chancellor Lincoln attempted to call for peace, even calling for federal resolutions to increase wages, many in Congress, particularly from the Whig Party, called him ill suited for the crisis and demanded his resignation. Meanwhile, many of the rioters were arrested and charged.
Aftermath
The Railroad Riots of 1877 were deemed responsible for the loss in re-election of Chancellor Lincoln to outspoken critic, Joel Parker. Parker ultimately succeeded where Lincoln failed in passing reforms to the railroad industry, and was seen as a more moderate politician to Lincoln's perceived radicalism.
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