Ludlow Massacre, 1894

Definition

The Ludlow Massacre was a conflict resulting from a labor strike by coal miners against their employers. The Colorado National Guard attacked a tent colony occupied by striking miners, leading to numerous deaths including women and children.

Analogy

Imagine if during a peaceful protest for better school conditions, things escalated into violence with authorities intervening harshly. That's similar to what happened at Ludlow - peaceful protests turned deadly due to extreme responses from those in power.

Related terms

Colorado Fuel & Iron Company (CF&I): A large steel concentration that was one of the employers involved in the Ludlow Massacre.

Strikebreakers ("Scabs"): Individuals who work despite an ongoing strike or who are hired to replace striking employees.

Industrial Workers of the World (IWW): An international labor union founded in Chicago in 1905 that promotes worker solidarity against bosses.