Progressive Movement Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Test Prep

The significance of the Coal Strike of 1902 lies primarily in its historical role as a pivotal moment in labor relations and government intervention in private labor disputes. This strike, involving the United Mine Workers of America and coal operators, highlighted the growing tensions between labor and management during the Progressive Era. For the first time in U.S. history, the federal government intervened directly in a labor dispute, setting a precedent for future government involvement in labor issues. President Theodore Roosevelt's administration took a proactive stance by mediating between the striking miners and coal operators in an attempt to end the strike. This intervention not only demonstrated a shift in the government's attitude towards labor relations but also illustrated the importance of public welfare, as the coal strike had significant implications for the national supply of coal and hence for heating homes during the winter months.

The other choices relate to aspects of labor and economics but do not capture the essence of what made the Coal Strike of 1902 historically significant. While child labor was a significant issue during the Progressive Era, this strike did not mark its end. The establishment of labor unions was indeed an important aspect of labor history, but the strike itself was a conflict primarily involving an existing union rather than an initiator of union formation. Additionally, while