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The IWW: The Making of Revolutionary Working-Class Counterculture

Brody Powell

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Published in Joe Hill: The IWW The Making Of A Revolutionary Workingclass Counterculture (The Charles H Kerr Library)

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The Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) was a revolutionary industrial union founded in 1905. The IWW's goal was to organize all workers, regardless of race, gender, or skill, into one big union that would fight for the overthrow of capitalism and the establishment of a workers' republic. The IWW was a major force in the American labor movement for decades, and its influence can still be seen in the labor movement today.

The IWW was founded in a time of great social and economic upheaval. The United States was undergoing rapid industrialization, and the gap between the rich and the poor was growing wider. Workers were facing low wages, long hours, and dangerous working conditions. The IWW offered workers a way to fight for their rights and a vision of a better future.

Joe Hill: The IWW & the Making of a Revolutionary Workingclass Counterculture (The Charles H. Kerr Library)

by Macario Schettino

5 out of 5

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The IWW's ideology was based on a combination of socialism, anarchism, and syndicalism. Socialists believe that the means of production should be owned and controlled by the workers. Anarchists believe that the state is a tool of oppression that should be abolished. Syndicalists believe that workers should organize themselves into unions and use direct action to achieve their goals.

The IWW's tactics were often unconventional and confrontational. The union organized strikes, boycotts, and other forms of direct action. The IWW also published a number of newspapers and pamphlets that spread its message to workers around the country.

The IWW's activities often brought it into conflict with the government and with employers. The union was frequently accused of being a criminal organization, and its members were often arrested and jailed. Despite these challenges, the IWW continued to grow and organize workers throughout the early 20th century.

The IWW's influence declined in the 1920s and 1930s, as the government cracked down on the labor movement and the economy shifted away from manufacturing. However, the IWW's legacy continues to live on in the labor movement today. The union's commitment to organizing all workers, regardless of race, gender, or skill, remains an inspiration to activists and organizers around the world.

The IWW and the Making of a Revolutionary Working-Class Counterculture

The IWW was not just a labor union. It was also a cultural movement that created a unique working-class counterculture. The IWW's counterculture was based on a rejection of the values of capitalism and the promotion of a new set of values based on solidarity, cooperation, and mutual aid.

The IWW's counterculture was expressed in a variety of ways. The union's newspapers and pamphlets were filled with stories, poems, and songs that celebrated the working class and its struggles. The IWW also organized a number of cultural events, such as dances, picnics, and concerts, that brought workers together and provided a sense of community.

The IWW's counterculture was also reflected in the way that workers organized their lives. The union encouraged workers to form cooperative societies, such as food cooperatives and housing cooperatives. These cooperatives provided workers with a way to meet their needs without relying on the capitalist market.

The IWW's counterculture was a powerful force in the lives of working-class people. It provided them with a sense of identity, a sense of community, and a vision of a better future. The IWW's counterculture continues to inspire activists and organizers today who are fighting for a more just and equitable world.

The IWW Today

The IWW is still active today, though its membership is much smaller than it was in its heyday. The union continues to organize workers in a variety of industries, and it remains committed to its goal of building a revolutionary working-class movement.

The IWW's legacy is a reminder that the working class has the power to change the world. The union's commitment to organizing all workers, its rejection of capitalism, and its promotion of a revolutionary working-class counterculture are all lessons that can be applied to the struggles of workers today.

The IWW is a living example of the power of working-class solidarity. The union's history is a testament to the fact that workers can win victories when they organize together and fight for their rights.

Joe Hill: The IWW & the Making of a Revolutionary Workingclass Counterculture (The Charles H. Kerr Library)

by Macario Schettino

5 out of 5