Dear [Recipient's Name],
I hope this letter finds you in good health and spirits. I felt compelled to write to you and express the reasons behind my decision to participate in the Pullman Strike and shed light on the precarious conditions endured by workers like myself. The appalling circumstances we faced, combined with the unforgiving responses from factory owners and the government, left us with no alternative but to take a stand and demand justice.
Firstly, the conditions we endured were nothing short of deplorable. We toiled day in and day out, often working long hours for meager wages. The Pullman Company, owned by George Pullman, imposed incredibly high rents on the company-owned housing we were forced to live in, leaving us with barely enough to feed our families. This cruel exploitation of our hardship showcased the blatant disregard for our well-being and dignity as human beings.
Moreover, Mr. Pullman's refusal to negotiate with us and address our concerns further fueled our drive to participate in the strike. Despite hefty profits, he remained unmoved by the plight of his employees and their families. This was a clear demonstration of the greed and callousness that dominated our capitalist society, where profit was valued more than the lives and welfare of workers.
However, it was not just Mr. Pullman's actions that forced us to revolt; it was the response of the government that pushed us over the edge. When we peacefully protested and asserted our rights to fair wages and better working conditions, the government responded with an iron fist. President Grover Cleveland made the controversial decision to dispatch federal troops to suppress our strike, claiming it was disrupting the mail service. We were met with violence and brutality, with innocent lives lost and countless others left injured.
The government's intervention not only exacerbated the situation but also made a stark statement about whose interests they truly represented. By taking the side of Mr. Pullman, they displayed an alarming bias towards industry owners, disregarding the pleas for justice from hardworking citizens trying to improve their lives. It became evident that the government's allegiance was not to the people but to the economic elite.
In conclusion, I participated in the Pullman Strike because I could no longer bear the oppressive conditions we faced as workers. We were living in abject poverty, struggling to survive while our labor enriched the few at the top. The intransigence of George Pullman and the callousness of the government's response pushed us to take a stand and fight for our rights as workers. It is my hope that this letter helps you understand the gravity of our situation and the need for change.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
Take the role of a participant in Pullman Strike: “The Federal Government and the Chicago Strike” . Write a letter explaining why you participated. Use information from your causal analysis of the sources to write your letter. Consider such factors as the conditions faced by workers and the responses of factory owners and the government to union actions.
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