Draft:The Great Most Strike
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Comment: Incorrectly sourced and appears to be citing Czech Wikipedia as well. We can't accept that. AlphaBetaGamma (Talk/report any mistakes here) 14:18, 7 May 2025 (UTC)
- Comment: Although not required, inline citations are far preferable. Greenman (talk) 12:41, 7 May 2025 (UTC)
| Great Most Strike | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Labor unrest in interwar Czechoslovakia | |||
 | |||
| Date | March 23 – April 19, 1932 | ||
| Location | Most coal basin, Czechoslovakia | ||
| Caused by | Wage cuts, layoffs, poor working conditions | ||
| Goals | Job security, fair wages, better conditions | ||
| Resulted in | Partial success; layoffs halted, wages maintained | ||
| Parties | |||
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| Lead figures | |||
Strike committee, KSČ representatives Local officials, police commanders | |||
| Number | |||
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| Casualties and losses | |||
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Background
[edit]The Great Most Strike of 1932 was a major labor protest involving over 25,000 coal miners in the Most coal basin of northern Czechoslovakia. The strike began in March 1932 during the Great Depression, a time of high unemployment and widespread poverty. The region's economy was heavily dependent on coal mining, and the worsening economic situation led to job cuts, wage reductions, and poor working conditions.
Course of events
[edit]Sparked by layoffs and wage cuts, the strike quickly escalated. Tensions rose as local authorities responded with increased police presence and repressive measures. Mass meetings and demonstrations were organized, many with support from the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia (KSČ). On April 1, 1932, a large demonstration in Duchcov turned violent. Security forces fired on demonstrators, killing two miners—Jana Kříže and Josefa Ševčíka—and injuring several others.
Aftermath
[edit]The mine owners agreed to halt planned layoffs and maintain existing wage levels. However, no significant improvements were made to working conditions or to address broader grievances. The limited success was overshadowed by the fatalities and the continuing economic hardship in the region.
Political significance
[edit]The strike significantly bolstered the influence of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. The KSČ, which had supported the miners, used the strike in its propaganda and increased its support among workers and the unemployed. After World War II, the communist regime mythologized the event as a heroic struggle of the working class.
Legacy
[edit]
The Great Most Strike exposed the inadequacies of labor protections in interwar Czechoslovakia and sparked limited discussions about labor reform. Historians view the strike as one of the most significant worker uprisings of the time, highlighting the socio-economic tensions of the era.
References
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