In Search of History: The True Story of the Molly Maguires (review)

Every labor-history class should hear the saga of the Molly Maguires. Not only does it have the elements of good drama—treachery, pathos, and suspense—it starkly depicts many of the important themes played over and over again in labor's history. The indifference of the rich and powerful to the suffering of the working class, the corrupt alliance between big business and government, and the use of force to beat back the efforts of workers to organize collectively are all in the tale of the Molly Maguires.

The History Channel's In Search of History: The True Story of the Molly Maguires, is a welcome resource for introducing students to this struggle in which twenty union-activist miners were hanged for crimes most historians agree the activists did not commit. The film effectively tells the story through discussions with labor historians, dramatized recreations, and period artwork. Much of the filming is set in the coal towns of northeastern Pennsylvania, the region where the events took place in the 1860s and 1870s.

The film goes beyond accurately presenting the facts of the bitter struggle between the Irish-Catholic miners of the Anthracite region and coal-and-rail mogul Franklin Gowen. It also sets the conflict in the context of the larger issues of the period—ongoing union-management strife, the prejudice faced by recent immigrants, and an unstable political and economic environment. In addition, it directly addresses many controversial questions regarding this episode in labor history. Did the Molly Maguires actually exist as an organization? What was the role of the Irish fraternal organization, the Ancient Order of Hibernians? Were the miners guilty of murder and mayhem or of just standing up to a powerful and well-connected employer? Overall, this production is a useful and inexpensive tool for labor educators and labor studies faculty who want to explore various facets of this interesting episode in labor history.

In Search of History: The True Story of the Molly Maguires, produced by Weller Grossman Productions, can be ordered for $24.95 from the History Channel by phone at 888-423-1212 or on line at http://www.xkms.org/AEThe-History-Channel-Affiliate-Program-40/The-True-Story-of-the-Molly-Maguires.htm.