What significant event was the largest armed insurrection in the U.S. since the Civil War?

The Battle of Blair Mountain is recognized as the largest armed insurrection in the U.S. since the Civil War. This event took place in 1921 in West Virginia and involved a major conflict between coal miners, who were striking for better wages and working conditions, and law enforcement, which was supported by coal companies and the state militia. The miners, frustrated by oppressive working conditions and the violent suppression of their labor rights, mobilized in large numbers and armed themselves to assert their demands.

The significance of this event lies not only in its scale, involving thousands of miners and significant armed conflict, but also in its broader implications for labor relations in the U.S. at the time. The battle symbolized the intense struggle between labor rights advocates and the industrial elite, showcasing the lengths to which workers would go to fight for their rights.

In contrast, while the Pullman Strike, the Ludlow Massacre, and the Haymarket Affair were also critical events in labor history, they did not reach the same level of armed conflict and insurrection as the Battle of Blair Mountain. Each of these events had its own impact on labor relations and workers' rights, but Blair Mountain remains distinct for its scale and the violence involved.