When workers shot back : class conflict from 1877 to 1921 / edited by Robert Ovetz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Ovetz, Robert, author.

Contributor:

Ovetz, Robert.

Series:

Historical Materialism Book Series 162.

Historical materialism book series ; 162

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Social conflict--United States--History--19th century.

Social conflict.

Social conflict--United States--History--20th century.

Social classes--United States--History--19th century.

Social classes.

Social classes--United States--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (613 pages).

Place of Publication:

Boston : Brill, [2018]

Summary:

The United States looks today much like it did in the late 19th to early 20th century. Open class conflict is disappearing, strikes are becoming rare, unions are declining, corporate power is growing, and work is insecure and contingent. When Workers Shot Back: Class Conflict from 1877 to 1921 explores one of the most tumultuous times in United States history. Self-organised workers recomposed their power by devising new strategies and tactics to disrupt the capitalist economy and extract concessions. Mine, railroad, steel, and iron workers pursued a strategy of tension that sometimes erupted into militant class conflict and general strikes in which workers took over and ran a number of cities. Turning common wisdom on its head, When Workers Shot Back argues that the escalation of working class conflict drives rather than reacts to the consolidation and reorganisation of capital and economic and political reform of the state. Studying the class composition of this period illustrates why workers escalated the intensity of their tactics, even using tactical violence, to extract concessions and reforms when all other efforts to do so were blocked, coopted or repressed.

Contents:

Front Matter

Copyright Page

Introduction

The 1877 Railroad Strike

Suppressing a Volcano: The 1877 Railroad Strike

‘We Shall Consume Their Shops with Fire’: Working-Class Recomposition in the 1877 Railroad Strike

Putting Out the Class on Fire: A New Capital Composition

The 1894 Railroad Strike

The Nineties Dripped with Blood: The 1894 Railroad Strike

Government by Injunction and Bayonet: Working-Class Recomposition in the 1894 Railroad Strike

Managing the Class Struggle: A New Capital Composition

Revolt of the Rank and File

The Dynamite Conspiracy: US Steel vs. the Iron Workers

War in Europe, War on Capital: The WWI Wildcat Strike Wave

Revolt of the Rank and File: The Steel and Seattle General Strikes

The Redneck Army: West Virginia Mine War

Conclusion

Back Matter

Bibliography

Index.

Notes:

Description based on print version record and CIP data provided by publisher; resource not viewed.

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

90-04-37033-1

Publisher Number:

10.1163/9789004370333 DOI