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In this episode of the It’s Going Down podcast, we speak with Robert Ovetz, author of the new book, When Workers Shot Back: Class Conflict from 1877 to 1921. During our discussion, we speak about insurrectionary labor history, touching on the post-Civil War eruptions of the Great Upheaval, the Pullman Strike, the Seattle General Strike, and the Redneck War.

Beyond just being a way to push forward demands, often these uprisings showcased revolutionary potential and in some cases, ended with groups of workers taking over entire towns. We also discuss the racial dynamics within some of these uprisings and how white supremacy was either confronted or left in place.

At a time when people are coming up against not only a system which has made their lives unlivable but also threatens their own existence; such history offers us a window into periods when ordinary people took up arms and sought to take control over their own lives.

More Info: Robert Ovetz on Twitter, Notes From Below, and When Workers Shot Back: Class Conflict from 1877 to 1921