JOURNAL ARTICLE

Illinois Coal Miners Fight for Democracy.

  • Published In: Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society, 2026, v. 119, n. 1. P. 40 1 of 3

  • Database: America: History and Life with Full Text 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Feurer, Rosemary 3 of 3

Abstract

The article focuses on the history of Illinois coal miners and their role in labor rights and union activism from the mid-19th to the 20th century. Illinois miners, concentrated in immigrant communities, linked their fight for labor rights to broader democratic ideals, organizing strikes and influencing early mine regulation laws. Despite opposition from coal operators who used legal restrictions, private security, and mechanization to suppress union power, Illinois miners formed a strong union presence as District 12 of the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA), advocating for safer conditions, anti-discrimination measures, and cooperative economic models. Their activism influenced national labor struggles, though internal conflicts and external pressures eventually limited their influence within the UMWA. The miners’ legacy persisted in regional labor movements, including support for collective bargaining laws beyond mining. [Extracted from the article]

Additional Information

  • Source:Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society. 2026/03, Vol. 119, Issue 1, p40
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:History
  • Publication Date:2026
  • ISSN:1522-1067
  • DOI:10.5406/23283335.119.1.10
  • Accession Number:192456745
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society is the property of Illinois State Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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