Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2005

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

History

First Advisor

Richard Schneirov

Second Advisor

William Giffin

Third Advisor

Anne Foster

Abstract

The lrish-Catholic working-class of Scranton, Pennsylvania used social networks fanned in Irish nationalist organizations to expand the men's labor movement between 1879 and 1883. Formed in 1879, the Irish National Land League worked for land reform in Ireland and called on Irish-Americans to serve as fund-raisers for the cause. The Land League prospered in the Scranton area drawing into its ranks many Iiish-Americans that worked in the anthracite coal mines. The Knights of Labor, lend by Scranton native Terence V. Powderly, had established multiple local assemblies in the region, but had a difficult time recruiting hi sh-Catholic members. Leaders of the Knights in the Scranton area took charge of the local and national Land League organizations nnd used the symbols of nationalism, pride in organization, and newly formed social networks among reform minded Irish workers to expand the membership of the Knights through the remainder of the Gilded Age.

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