Austin Meehan

Born 1835 Died 1900

A Critical Lens for understanding some key concepts in American History!

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER!!!!

POTATO: THE STAPLE CROP

Austin was taught by Edmund Rice in Dublin.

POTATO FAMINE- THE IRSIH HUNGERAustin emigrates across

Atlantic Ocean. arrives in

Philadelphia. met the Know-

Nothings, aka ,The American Party who burned down Austin’s church so he had to flee.

WORDS+ ACTION= MOLLY MAGUIRES

SHOVEL: FOR COAL OR FOR KILLING?

BLOODSHED IN PHILLY, GETTYSBURG AND NYC After the Know-Nothings, Austin had

joined the army. He fought in the Civil War at Gettysburg. He killed Confederate soldiers. Many Union Soldiers were brutally injured and put on trains back to NYC.

They felt they had to blame it all on somebody. Race riots erupted. Irish- Americans men killed African Americans. Austin tried to stop it but it wouldn’t work. This started a new race war.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

THE GILDED AGE!!!!!

Austin moved to Western Pennsylvania. He worked in the coal mines and

shovels the coal Very bad working conditions[It was

very hot] Horrible pay[7 days a week, 12 hours a

day, 5 cents an hour.] Austin joined a violent organization

called the Molly Maguires.

PAVING THE WAY

Unions Minimum Wage Laws Health Coverage Pensions

WORKERS FIGHTING FOR RIGHTS Austin joined the army Austin killed the owner of the coal mine. He was fighting for a just wage. He treated

Austin like an animal and he killed him. While 15 men were hung, Austin escaped. In 1892, he killed again in Homestead,

Pennsylvania. He felt Andrew Carnegie, a bloody bastard. He died in 1900. Austin’s son, grandfather of Brother

Sherlog was born in 1885. He died in 1972 while Sherlog was in the 8th grade.

No Justice, No Peace.KNOW JUSTICE, KNOW PEACE!

KEY VOCABULARY

Darwinism Social Darwinism Survival of the fittest, dog eat dog

world Laissez-faire Andrew Carnegie: Captain of Industry

or Robber Baron? Leo XIII- Rerum Novarum

SECOND GENERATION

Austin Jr. 1885- 1972 He was 6’1” Since he was tall, he had jobs coming to him

easy. Because of the Great Depression, he left The

Bronx. He sat in the back of busses with Black Workers

to get some cigs while his friends were against it. He had children: Mary ( Br.Sherlog’s Godmother.)

,Joey, Tessy, Anna, Margaret (Br. Sherlog’s Mother),

Sherlog’s mom married with 3 children: 2 boys[one was Bro. Sherlog.] and his sister.

COMING FULL CIRCLE!!!!!!

Austin Sr. was taught by Edmund Rice.

Brother Sherlog teaches at Cardinal Hayes, a school where Edmund Rice’s Brothers have served since 1940.