The Ludlow Massacre: You Be The Judge
In this lesson, students will explore the tragedy of the coal miners camped outside the coal mines of Ludlow Colorado during the spring of 1914. Known as one of the most tragic events in the 14-month Colorado Coal Strike of 1913-1914, the miners strike placed them squarely between the United Mine Workers of America Union and J.D. Rockefeller, owner of the Colorado Fuel and Iron Company. Throughout the lesson, students will organize the various newspaper accounts and piece together the chain of events as they unfolded. Students will develop their skills in searching historic databases, retrieving primary source information, and asking critical questions of the content.
