Seattle made history in 1919 with the first general strike in American history. The strike stemmed from the industrial boom of World War I during which the federal government froze wages for defense-related industries and promised shipyard workers wage increases after the war to keep them from striking. The shipyard owners reneged on that promise. Leaders like Anna Louise Strong called for all workers to go on strike in support of shipyard workers. 65,000 workers went on strike for three days supporting Seattle shipyard workers.
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