The Seattle General Strike in 1919 is regarded as a landmark event not only in the United States but the whole world. The strike which ensued on February 6, 1919 and extended till February 1919 was called by the working people, which completely closed the city down. Seattle was completely paralyzed with 65,000 laborers walking off their job.
The General Strike of Seattle in 1919 was begun by disgruntled workers to gain higher wages. The World War I and the Russian Revolution were the two major events that had produced a qualitative change in the consciousness of the American workers. Cost of living and the profits soared but the worker's wages were the same. Home rents and house prices were high. During this period Seattle saw more workers union being formed in the region and a steep rise in the membership in this unions.
The Shipyard Strike on January 21 1919, initiated the General Strike of Seattle. Workers in the shipyard demanded increase in wages of both the skilled and unskilled labors but unfortunately the yard owners raised the pay of only the skilled workers.Matters worsened when Charles Piez, the head of Emergency Fleet Corporation sent a telegram to the yard owners
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threatening them of dire consequences if they tried to increase the salary of the workers. The workers immediately appealed to the Seattle Central Labor Council to call a general strike involving all the workers of Seattle. The Strike begun on February 6, 1919 at 10.00 am.
Life after the General Strike came to a halt. The General Committee formed during the strike acted as a virtual counter government for the city. The workers constituting the committee provided essential service to the people of Seattle during this time. World had never before seen a strike of such a magnitude so peaceful and quiet. The General Strike of Seattle closed down the capitalist industries of Seattle but the workers took over the government and started providing essential services. This was alarming for people who were then at the helm of the powers.
The international labor union offices urged the workers to end the strike. Some of the local workers returned to work . The General Strike committee voted to end the strike of February 11 at noon. Seattle General Strike demonstrated to the world that tremendous energy can be generated if the workers acted in unison maintaining an uniform solidarity.
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