Jacob Coxey, the first March on Washington, and political protest

Coxey Speaking on the Steps of Capitol, 1914
Coxey Speaking on the Steps of Capitol, 1914 - Library of Congress , Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing
the march
Jacob ‘General’ Coxey, 1914
Jacob ‘General’ Coxey, 1914 - Library of Congress , Prints & Photographs Division, photograph by Harris & Ewing

coxey

This website is devoted to the life of Jacob Coxey (1854-1951), the first march on Washington by “Coxey’s Army” in the spring of 1894, and the origins of political protest in the United States.

When participants in Coxey’s Army (estimated at 500 people) reached Washington on May 1, 1894, having started their march in Massillon, Ohio, they were met by 1500 soldiers, with more on call in case of trouble.  Jacob Coxey went to speak, but only managed to make it through the first two paragraphs, before getting arrested for walking on the grass.

Jacob Coxey in jail, standing at window, behind bars (1894)
Coxey Behind the Bars - from WNET/PBS
articles

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