USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -In the early 1920s, Lewis used the nation’s dependence on coal to maintain union membership despite severe economic downturns in the industry. He also guided the miners through a successful five-month strike to preserve the wage gains they had won during the war.

Detailed explanation-2: -Lewis, in full John Llewellyn Lewis, (born February 12, 1880, near Lucas, Iowa, U.S.-died June 11, 1969, Washington, D.C.), American labour leader who was president of the United Mine Workers of America (1920–60) and chief founder and first president of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO; 1936–40).

Detailed explanation-3: -John Mitchell, who at the age of 28 became president of the United Mine Workers in 1898, hoped to achieve the same kind of success in the anthracite or hard coalfields of Pennsylvania.

Detailed explanation-4: -After a successful coal miners’ strike in 1897, John Mitchell became president (1898–1908) and led the union through a period of rapid growth-despite determined opposition by mine operators. Workers staged another successful strike in 1902. By 1920 the UMWA had gained about 500, 000 members.