technology, labor force engagement, labor productivity and poverty, there was quite a change in the mining industry in Central Appalachia which greatly affected the people living there. It is significant that from 1945 to 1965, labor force engagement and labor productivity steadily declined in this region. Subsequently, poverty definitely increased during this period as there were fewer men employed in what had traditionally been the most established industry in this region. It is very possible that the decline in men available in this industry coincided with increased technology. However, what was once a fairly stable industry slowly whittled down to one in which the residents of this region could no longer depend. It is also important to realize that this negative trend was also characterized by an increasing number of mines, which peaked in 1957 with 49 mines. As the number of mines was reduced again until the 1972, the...
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