Final answer:
Miners in coal mines faced hazardous working conditions, including dangerous temperatures, poor ventilation, and a high risk of accidents, resulting in numerous deaths and long-term health issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Stephen Crane, miners had to endure extremely perilous working conditions in coal mines during the period of industrialization. They faced incredibly high temperatures, poor ventilation, the constant threat of cave-ins, as well as the dangers associated with shaft fires and dynamite explosions. Due to these conditions and the lack of safety measures, many miners suffered from long-term lung diseases, severe injuries, and fatalities.
Strikes were organized for better conditions but were typically repressed by state militias. Miners were often part of a readily available surplus of labor, meaning that their wages remained low and replaceable if they were unable or unwilling to continue in such harsh environments. Despite the risks, many preferred mining jobs over other types of labor due to the slightly higher pay compared to agricultural work. Over time, significant health effects such as black lung disease emerged as occupational hazards.