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--- 329:question:329--week_10_questions_comments-2024 [2024/10/31 12:58] – [How does this movie work as a secondary source? What does the movie get right about history?] 199.111.65.11
+++ 329:question:329--week_10_questions_comments-2024 [2024/10/31 13:29] (current) – [How does this movie work as a primary source about the time in which it was made?] heppard
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 Because it accurately depicts the historical realities of coal mining villages and the difficult hardships miners endured in the 1920s, *Matewan* is a good secondary source. The difficult working conditions, the near-total control mining companies had over miners' life, and the miners' attempts to form a union in spite of ongoing threats are all highlighted in the movie. The miners were caught in social and financial traps, as evidenced by details such as company-owned housing and company scrip, which restricted their purchases to company-owned establishments.-Ryan K
+As said before, Matewan did a detailed job of portraying the hold that the company had over these people’s lives. Starting right in the beginning, the viewer could see that almost everything the workers and families depended on to survive (food, shelter, clothing) were owned by the Coal Company. The film depicted how normal it was for there to be accidents in the mine, as well as how many miners would die each year. There were many details that those people in the town weren’t aware of, like how the company brought in Italian and black workers whilst evicting former workers. This was done to cause turmoil among them after the company was hearing rumors of possible Union gatherings. Another way the company/agency was able to stay ahead of the workers was by implanting a spy in the mix, which did actually happen as well. Overall, this has been one of the few films we’ve watched so far that has focused more on the real people and events that occurred in real life, instead of showcasing movie stars. -Matt S
 This film gets many things right. One is that the company did try to unlawfully remove miner families from their homes and the sheriff & mayor were able to stop them as they didn't have a warrant. Another thing this film got right was how difficult it was for miner families to survive and they had to work together to survive. -Maddy W
+I believe Matewan is fairly historically accurate. It showed the harsh condition and the poverty that miners often faced. In the early 20th century, mined in dangerous working conditions, had long hours, and there were no safety protocols in place for them. So often, miners would get hurt or even sometimes death.  It also portrays how miners were divided and union unity was hindered by coal companies exploitation of ethnic and race tensions. (Hannah E.)
 ====== Problems with historical accuracy? Errors in fact? ======
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 Overall, this movie does a good job staying pretty accurate to the real-life experiences that were depicted in the primary sources. The brutality of the mines, the ages of the miners and the helplessness they felt, were things I all saw in the movie. I felt that the movie erred on the side of too nice (although I was glad for it, I don't want to watch 12 year olds die on screen), but the feelings were there. The desperation the people of Matewan felt is something I saw reflected in the primary sources. I do feel though, that the representation of African Americans in this film left something to be decided. Though they were a presence in the film, I felt that there could have been a little more focus on the problems they were dealing with, especially when put in comparison with the sources. It was more than just fair wages, it was the right to the same spaces and treatment as other employees. - Caty
 ====== How does this movie work as a primary source about the time in which it was made? ======
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 This movie was not only depicting a historical event (which they did very well), but was also making a statement about the treatment of workers and unions in the 80s as well. Labor unions were being weakened, companies were putting more emphasis on profit rather than customer satisfaction, and working hours were being extended. All of this didn’t improve when the stock market crashed later in 1987, just two months after this film was released. --Emma F.
+This movie works as a primary source because in the 80s there were a lot of anti-union perspectives including the president. So this movie tries to counter these by being sympathetic to the miners. -Maddy W
+Matewan was made in 1987, during which there were a lot of economic shifts and the union started to weaken. This movie reflects these changes with showing the abuse of miner companies as well union solidary. (Hannah E.)
 ====== The "So What" Question ======