This movement, a significant event in American history, refers to a protest march by unemployed workers from Ohio to Washington, D.C. in 1894, during a period of severe economic depression. These individuals advocated for government-funded public works programs to alleviate unemployment. Jacob Coxey, a businessman, led this group, who sought to petition the government for relief.
The march’s importance lies in its demonstration of the social unrest and economic hardship experienced during the Panic of 1893. It highlighted the demand for government intervention in economic crises and the plight of the unemployed. Although the march itself did not achieve its immediate goals, it brought national attention to the issue of unemployment and influenced subsequent policy debates regarding the role of the federal government in addressing economic downturns. This event is a key example of popular protest during the Gilded Age.
