Flames of Discontent: The 1916 Minnesota Iron Ore Strike

Abstract

Gary Kaunonen introduces his study of Minnesota's 1916 iron ore strike with reminiscences of childhood visits to his Finnish American grandparents' homestead, where he heard the political and economic discussions that infused him with proletarian values and an appreciation for class conflict. Flames of Discontent, its title taken from the Industrial Workers of the World (Iww) “Little Red Songbook” (1909), draws on this background to interpret the strike from the perspective of the largely immigrant work force. Kaunonen's account of their struggles shows a personal yet not chauvinistic connection to their plight and convincingly tells their story. The 1916 strike occurred on Minnesota's Mesabi Range, a primary provider of the iron ore for the U.S. steel industry. From the onset of commercial mining, immigrants had dominated the work force and built the surrounding communities. They also endured the region's exploitative working conditions. Previous strikes had failed to improve their lot, in part because employers could find “newer” immigrants to replace striking workers. In 1916, however, a united labor force, led by the Iww, hoped to prevail against the “steel trust.” Unfortunately for the workers, the mine operators effectively aligned with the state's political leaders to crush the strike.