Question

The strike might have collapsed in a few days from lack of support and effective leadership, had not Joseph J. Ettor reached Lawrence Friday night, to assume charge of the unorganized masses. He was the magnet about whom for weeks these masses rallied, whose words were unquestioned, and whose advice was accepted without question. This man swayed the undisciplined mob as completely as any general ever controlled his disciplined troops. He boasted, "I could stop more rioting by raising my hand than the others can with their bayonets and powder." Immediately upon his arrival, he began to organize these thousands of mixed, unsympathetic, and jealous nationalities into a militant body of class-conscious workers.
Adapted from John Bruce McPherson, The Lawrence Strike of 1912
Based on this excerpt, what can you conclude about the 1912 textile strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts?

Answer 1

The excerpt indicates that the 1912 textile strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, was characterized by a lack of effective leadership and organization among the striking workers prior to the arrival of Joseph J. Ettor. His presence was crucial in unifying the diverse and disorganized groups of workers, who came from different nationalities and backgrounds, into a cohesive and militant body of class-conscious workers. Ettor's charisma and authority allowed him to effectively sway the crowds and instill a sense of discipline and direction, which was necessary for the strike to gain momentum and maintain support. The mention of his ability to stop rioting with a gesture suggests he held significant influence over the strikers and was able to control the situation more effectively than armed forces could, highlighting the power of leadership in labor movements. Overall, the excerpt portrays the strike as a critical moment of worker solidarity that relied on strong leadership to navigate challenges and achieve their goals.