Toying with Americanization: The Impact of Corporate Paternalism on Immigrant Children in Early 20th Century Colorado Coal Mining Communities

<p>During the early 20^th century coal miners' lives in Southern Colorado were fraught with violence and hardships. Many immigrant men brought their families to remote areas to live in company towns and work in coal mines. The Colorado Fuel and Iron Company (CF&I) attempted to assimilate these ethnically diverse immigrants into American society. One method was to impart American values onto the children living in these company towns. CF&I purchased American toys for the children during Christmas and created kindergartens for the children to attend with the intent of imparting American values. In contrast, the parents of these children reinforced their immigrant traditions. These children received two contrasting messages; one at home and one at school. Using the archaeological and historical record at both the company town of Berwind and the striker community of Ludlow, this thesis explores how the children engaged with both American and immigrant culture.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A.

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters Thesis

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Devine, Jamie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bonnie Clark, Ph.D.
• Dean Saitta, Ph.D.
• Lisa Martinez

• Childhood
• Colorado
• Immigration
• Labor laws
• Ludlow
• Mining
• Child Psychology
• Labor History

Statement dc:rights

• <p>Copyright is held by the author. User is responsible for all copyright compliance.</p>

Language dc:language

en

Repository record dc:identifier

https://digitalcommons.du.edu/etd/161

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:digitalcommons.du.edu:etd-1160