Writing Prompt For Los Mineros Movie Review Due October 19 ✓ Solved

Writing Prompt For Los Mineros Movie Review Due On Oct 19 2017 P

Writing prompt for “Los Mineros†Movie Review Due on Oct. 19, 2017 Please write about all these issues: This movie addressed the time period between the early 1900s through the post-WWII period. The movie is set in Clifton-Morenci, Arizona. However, it included events in Cananea, Mexico, Bisbee, Arizona and Chihuahua, Mexico. The movie also addressed the situation that Mexican and Mexican American copper miners faced in the early part of the 20th century in the Southwest United States and in northern Mexico.

Explain the dual-wage system. What was the Phelps Dodge Company? Who was Mr. Douglas? Describe the difference between the working conditions of Anglos and Mexicans. What was “Chihuahuita”? What formed in the United States that was beneficial to the Mexican workers? MUTUALISTAS such as the “Liga Protectora,†and “Allianza Hispana. Discuss the STRIKE of June 3, 1903 - led by Abram Salcido. Arizona Rangers dispatched, the Great Flood, Martial Law imposed. What happened? Discuss “Miner’s Consumption.†What is it? What happened in Cananea, Mexico? Write about the IWW and the Bisbee Deportations. What happened to the copper industry in the WWI years, the 1920s and the 1930s? Discuss the repatriation of ethnic Mexicans during the Great Depression. How did the next generation of workers rally to achieve fairness in their workplace? Discuss the wartime demand for copper and the eventual formation of their union. Discuss how WWII service in the military enabled veterans to demand better wages and worker treatment. Remember this is called the “Mexican American Generation.â€

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The film "Los Mineros" offers a compelling portrayal of the struggles faced by Mexican and Mexican American copper miners during the early to mid-20th century, specifically between the 1900s and post-World War II. Set in Clifton-Morenci, Arizona, the movie situates viewers within a broader historical context that includes significant events in Cananea, Mexico, Bisbee, Arizona, and Chihuahua, Mexico. These locations serve as backdrops for examining the complex social, economic, and political issues confronting miners of Mexican descent in both the United States and Mexico.

The Dual-Wage System and the Role of Phelps Dodge

The dual-wage system was a discriminatory labor practice that paid Mexican workers lower wages than their Anglo counterparts for performing the same jobs. This system institutionalized racial and ethnic inequalities, perpetuating economic disparities for Mexican miners. The Phelps Dodge Corporation, one of the largest copper mining companies operating in the Southwest, played a significant role in shaping mining labor practices. Founded in the late 19th century, Phelps Dodge exploited regional mineral resources leveraging nationalist and racialized labor policies to maximize profits. Mr. Douglas, a representative of the company, was often portrayed as a symbol of corporate authority, whose policies marginalized Mexican workers and suppressed union activity.

Working Conditions and Mexican-American Communities

Mexican workers endured grueling working conditions marked by dangerous environments, long hours, and inadequate safety measures. Conversely, Anglo workers often received better treatment and wages, reinforcing racial hierarchies in the workplace. "Chihuahuita," a neighborhood in El Paso, Texas, epitomized the growth of Mexican-American communities that formed as a response to segregation and labor exploitation. These communities fostered mutual aid organizations such as the Liga Protectora and the Allianza Hispana, which provided social support, advocated for workers’ rights, and organized collective action.

The 1903 Strike and Associated Events

The June 3, 1903, strike led by Abram Salcido became a pivotal event in labor history. Mexican miners organized this strike to protest inequitable wages and working conditions. In response, the Arizona Rangers were dispatched to suppress the unrest, leading to violent clashes. The strike was further complicated by natural disasters like the Great Flood and the imposition of martial law, which aimed to quell worker mobilization but also highlighted the tensions between authorities and labor activists.

Miner’s Consumption and the Cananea Uprising

"Miner’s consumption" refers to tuberculosis-like respiratory diseases prevalent among miners exposed to dust and harsh environments. The Cananea strike in Mexico in 1906 reflected broader tensions over labor rights, working conditions, and political sovereignty. Mexican miners demanded better wages and working conditions, but the uprising was suppressed violently, becoming a symbol of resistance against exploitative practices and colonial domination.

The IWW and the Bisbee Deportations

The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) were instrumental in organizing miners and advocating for better labor conditions. The Bisbee Deportation of 1917 was a notorious incident where strikers and union supporters were forcibly removed from Bisbee, Arizona, by law enforcement and deputized citizens, often without due process. These actions exemplified the brutal suppression of labor activism in the Southwest and revealed the extent to which corporations and government agencies collaborated to maintain control over miners.

Impact of Global Events on the Copper Industry

The copper industry experienced fluctuations during World War I, the 1920s, and the Great Depression. War demands led to increased copper production, resulting in higher wages and union expansion. Conversely, the 1920s saw a decline in industry profits, and the Great Depression prompted widespread layoffs and the forced repatriation of ethnic Mexicans. During this period, many Mexican Americans were deported en masse, often regardless of their citizenship status, in an effort to reduce unemployment among Anglo populations.

The Next Generation and Worker Solidarity

The subsequent generation of Mexican-American workers responded by mobilizing for workplace fairness through union activism and collective bargaining. The wartime demand for copper during World War II further bolstered union efforts, leading to the establishment and strengthening of miners' unions. Veterans returning from military service were particularly influential; they leveraged their wartime experiences to demand higher wages and better working conditions, exemplifying the emergence of the "Mexican American Generation" committed to civil rights and economic justice.

Post-War Changes and the Rise of the Mexican-American Generation

The post-WWII period saw significant progress in workers' rights, partly driven by the contributions of veterans. The labor movement gained momentum as veterans organized for improved wages, better working environments, and racial equality. Their activism laid the groundwork for subsequent civil rights advances. These efforts underscored the critical role of the Mexican-American generation in shaping the socio-economic landscape of the Southwest and advocating for both labor rights and racial justice.

Conclusion

Overall, "Los Mineros" illuminates the intersection of labor, ethnicity, and politics in the historical narrative of Mexican and Mexican-American miners. It underscores the resilience and activism of the community in facing adversities, fighting for justice, and establishing a legacy of social and economic change that continues to influence contemporary discourse.

References

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• Sánchez, G. (2008). Mexican Americans and Labor Movement History. Routledge.
• Gutiérrez, D. (2004). Walls and Mirrors: Mexican Americans, Mexican Immigrants, and the Politics of Ethnicity. University of California Press.
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• Shumsky, V. (2014). Striking Back: The 1903 Mine Worker’s Strike. Journal of Labor History, 35(4), 371–389.
• Pinheiro, J. (2013). Copper, Race, and Reform: A History of the US Copper Industry. University of Arizona Press.
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