what evidence does the author use

Question

DOCUMENT F: “Pullman Strike”

The Pullman Strike (May–July 1894) was a violent confrontation between railroad workers and the Pullman Palace Car Company of Illinois. It tied up rail traffic across the United States before it was halted by federal injunction. In the wake of the Panic of 1893, the Pullman Company cut wages, but it did not lower rents or other charges to employees in the company town of Pullman, now part of Chicago. When representatives of the American Railway Union protested (May 11), they were fired. Eugene V. Debs, the head of the union, then called for (June 26) a boycott of all Pullman cars. On July 2, Att. Gen. Richard Olney obtained a court injunction to halt the strike. Federal troops arrived in Chicago two days later. Rioting broke out, and several strikers were killed, but by July 10 the strike had been broken. Debs and other top union officials were jailed for disobeying the injunction.

Answer 1

In Document F, the author provides a historical account of the Pullman Strike using several types of evidence:

1. Chronological Events: The author lays out a timeline of significant events related to the strike, including the initial wage cuts by the Pullman Company, the response from the American Railway Union, the call for a boycott by Eugene V. Debs, and the eventual federal intervention with troops and legal action. This chronological approach helps readers understand the sequence of events that led to the escalation of the conflict.

2. Social Context: The author references the economic backdrop of the Panic of 1893, highlighting how it influenced the actions of the Pullman Company in cutting wages while maintaining rents. This context provides insight into the economic conditions that contributed to worker discontent.

3. Key Figures: Figures like Eugene V. Debs, the leader of the American Railway Union, and Attorney General Richard Olney are mentioned, which illustrates the key players involved in the events and their roles in the conflict.

4. Consequences of Actions: The author notes the consequences of the strike, including the arrival of federal troops, the outbreak of rioting, and the jailing of Debs and other union officials. This evidence indicates the violent and repressive response to labor unrest and highlights the stakes involved for the workers and union leadership.

5. Violence and Repression: The mention of rioting and the deaths of strikers serves as evidence of the intense and often violent nature of labor disputes during this period, emphasizing the government's readiness to suppress the strike forcefully.

Overall, the author uses a combination of chronological narrative, economic context, key figures, and the consequences of actions to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Pullman Strike and its significance in American labor history.