Question

Which of the following was a cause of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

Railroad companies cut workers' wages after workers destroyed railroad property.
Railroad companies rejected workers’ requests for higher wages.
Railroad companies fired workers who asked for higher wages.
Railroad companies responded with violence when workers requested higher wages.

Answer 1

Railroad companies rejected workers’ requests for higher wages. (second choice)

Answer 2

Railroad companies rejected workers’ requests for higher wages.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 took place in West Virginia, and lasted 45 days. However, this strike inspired others in various cities, such as New York, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. The strike was motivated by the severe pay cuts that the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad (B&O) had implemented. Railroad companies had rejected workers’ requests for higher wages, which led workers to complain through this method in an attempt to force the companies to pay a fair salary.