may 11, 1894 - The Pullman Strike May 11, 1894

Description:

-workers at the Pullman Palace Car Factory faced a wage cut and an increase in the cost of their housing
-a strike was organized and it was joined by the American Railroad Union which led to over 250,000 railway workers walking off the job
-As a result, rail travel was shut down in over 27 states
-ARU presidents Eugene Debs refused to end the strike, even when the demand became court ordered (strike was disrupting the delivery of federal mail)
-Debs was convicted and jailed for refusing the order
-While in jail, he read the Communist Manifesto, when he was released he became active in the socialist movement, eventually becoming the leader of the American Socialist Party

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