Figure 1.--Mining was one of the most dangerous industrial jobs. Boys were involved in mining into the 1910s. Gold mining is the most famous mining activity, but coal historically has been the most valuable. This is a scene at the at Bessie Mine in 1910. It was a coal mine owned by the Sloss-Sheffield Steel and Iron Co. in Adamsville, Alabama. The boy in the middle is Shorpy Higginbotham. He was a greaser (lubricator). Notice the pail of grease the boy at the left is carrying. The tool he is holding is probably how the grease was applied. We are not entirely sure what the boys were greasing, pehaps the wheels of the carts carrying the mined coal to the surface. Images like vthis led to state and Federal mlegislation restricting child labor. It is also a good example of how liberal authors have twisted history. These images are often presented in text books to give the impression that capitalism resulted in child labor. In fact, children since the dawn of time have labored from a very early age. Only with the development of capitalism and industrialization did societies become weathly enough that they did not need child labor and could afford public schools. Despite the imo\pression given by images like these, there was less child labor in Americaa and Europe thhan anynwhere ekse in nthe world. Photographer: Lewis Hine.

One of the greatest drivers of European colonization in the Americas was the search for gold and silver. Unlike South and Cental America (Mexico), there was little gold found in North America. The Europeans looked but found little. It was there, but unfortunately for the eraly settlers was located all the way west across the continent in California. There were nany other minerals found, but not ilarge deposits taht bwould have made mining a profitable undertaking. And labir shortages was another problem. As was British imperial regulations which discouraged manufacturing, reserving for the mother country. The British aditude that the colonies esosted only for the benefit of the mother coubtry would evebtually lead to the Revolution. These problems did not immediately surface as the English Civil War, Crommwell's Commonwealth, and the struggle between Parliament and the Stuarts meant that the English Goverment gave little attention to he colonies. This did not change until after the French and Indian War (1763). Of corese were many other minerals to be mined, but major deposits were located west of the Appalachians. Important mining operations did not begin until after the Revolution when manufacturing began to develop, creating demand for metals. The first major mining operation was for coal in Pennsylvania (1830s). Iron ore also began at this time. Lead mining began in Missouri (1835). Copper mining began around Lake supeior (1842). The most famous mineral find and resulting boom occurred in California-- Gold was found at Sutter's Mill in California (1849). Not only did it provide much needed specie for a country which not yet have national paper currency. It also large numbers of people to the nearly unpopulated the new state. Goal and iron were vital for industrialiation. And as America began to industrialize a demand was created for more amd more metals. Important mining industries developed in many states. One of the most important was the coal mining industry. Which fueled the development of the steel and heavy indudtry. Mining was one of the most dangerous industrial jobs. It also involved child labor into nthe 19910s. Major minining industries included copper, iron, gold, silver, and zinc as well as smaler operaions for other metals. There was also mining operations for clay, granite, marble, potash, quartz, salt, soda ash, and sulpher. As road bulkding became impotant (20th century), we see miming for crushed rock/gravel and sand. Oil drilling and petro-chenicals became a part of the American mining complex (mid-19th century). At the time, there was only a limited market for oil, but this changed as kerosene began to become an inportat fuel and then with the perfection of the internal combustion engine. America and Russia were the only industrial countries with oil resources. This would have a major impact on the 20th century.

Created: 2:53 PM 4/19/2019
Last updated: 2:53 PM 4/19/2019