Sanvignes-les-Mines

Sister cities

• Baldock
• Kusel
• Eisenberg

History

The commune and the region are part of the Saône-et-Loire coal basin, which began to be exploited industrially in the 19th century. It was then under the political, economic, and financial control of the Chagot dynasty, which owned the Blanzy Mines Company. This family distinguished itself by significantly supporting Catholicism, which allowed them to monitor their miners. Between 1856 and the period of the Montceau-les-Mines troubles (1878-1885), it is estimated that more than 400 male and female miners died in the mine's numerous shafts due to very harsh working and living conditions, without protection provided to the workers—who started working from the age of 12—against potential accidents. This situation continued until the period of the troubles, when many miners and inhabitants of the region and the commune joined anarchism, an ideology and political movement aiming to abolish all unjust domination and strongly opposing capitalism and the State. During this period, a number of inhabitants of the region, including Sanvignes-les-Mines, became involved in the Black Band, one or more secret anarchist organizations committing numerous attacks and bombings in the region. This penetration of anarchism in the region sparked the beginning of a significant and radical syndicalist movement in Sanvignes-les-Mines and the neighboring communes—the first chambres syndicales ('local trade unions') founded there openly oriented towards anarchism.