Battle Of Blair Mountain Analysis

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The Battle of Blair Mountain is one of the most crucial episodes in the American history that highlights the doctrines of the socioeconomic systems. The events of the civil violence and disobedience depict the exploitation and capitalism manifested in the contemporary society. Battle of the Blair Mountain in 1921 is one of the gruesome mining wars in the history. The government deployed military forces to calm the uprisings. The Kantian tenet on civil disobedience links the moral authority, state laws, and rationality. The essay will explore the philosophical theme of civil unrest in the Battle of Blair Mountain against the Kantian theory of civil disobedience.
Civil disobedience is a protest where the protestors intentionally violate the
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As a result, Kant proves that civil disobedience is based on morals, which compel the people to disobey the law in a proper manner that not result in loss of property or life (Leopold 2). Morality refers to the wrongs and rights while taking a stand over bad or good. On the other hand, authority is the controlling powers that influence the outcomes of communities, state, or the public (Leopold 1). Civil disobedience refers to the refusal to follow the law or regulations. According to Leopold, civil disobedience is a “personal right to violate the law out of moral obligations (2). Therefore, the State leaders composed of foreigners did not have the obligation of imposing ideologies on the people. On the other hand, the locals had the right to question the government through nonviolent protests. However, they did not have the moral obligation of using arms and engaging in war with the government. The Moral based Civil disobedience at the Blair Mountain was enhanced by the exclusion of the natives from the political dominion and the right of possession (Leopold 3). The Equal Protection Clause of 14th Amendment asserts that all people residing within a state and laws must treat in the equitable manner (Leopold 3). All members of a state must have equitable access to opportunities and amenities. Therefore, moral civil disobedience is an expression of personal rights against any form of …show more content…
The Battle of the Blair Mountain is one of the best-organized and armed uprisings in the History of America. However, the battle ended in a mass loss of lives and prosecution of a number of miners. According to the Kantian theory, civil disobedience should be based on morals whereby there will be no loss of property or life. However, the Battle of the Blair Mountain disregarded both the moral and constitutional laws. While the miners opposed the poor labor laws, low wages and illegal loss of land, the government protected the economic benefits of the

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