The early 20th century had much in common with our time. It was an epoch of great extremes of wealth and poverty, of globalization and free trade, of war and imperialist occupation. But one crucial difference stands out: it was also a time of great militancy by the radical working class. And nowhere was this … Continued
While the United States is in the throes of upheaval over police murders, we take a historical look back at another time of great social ferment: a century ago, when the workers of Seattle shut that city down. The first major general strike in the United States coincided with the last widespread pandemic — the … Continued
By way of celebrating International Workers Day, or May Day, we look back at the legendary union, the Industrial Workers of the World, or Wobblies, with historian Kenyon Zimmer. He discusses the lessons to be learned from how the Wobblies fought back and united workers across cultural and racial differences. Resources: Peter Cole, David Struthers, … Continued
Marie Equi was a doctor, an open lesbian, an abortion provider, a suffragist and an outspoken labor activist in early twentieth century Oregon. She was called “one of the most dangerous anarchists” in the country and went to prison for her opposition to World War I. Why is Equi so much less known than her friends and … Continued
