This is my first time doing this, so I picked an easy subject: the songs and stories that make us reject capitalism and every thing that goes along with it. Things like shooting down strikers or framing them for crimes they did not commit.
But first, the song "Solidarity Forever" written by Ralph Chapin in 1915 for the IWW, the Industrial Workers of the World. It has become a labor anthem translated into several other languages and popular around the world.
"Solidarity Forever"
Next is the great Eugene V. Debs. Early in his career he was a Democrat and labor activist. He later became a committed socialist and ran five times for president on the socialist ticket, the last time from prison. "For Gene Debs" contains some of his most famous quotes.
"For Gene Debs"
Joe Hill was a labor activist and songwriter. In November 1915 he was tried, convicted, and executed for a murder he did not commit. The companies used the murder as a pretext to rid themselves of Hill. He inspired generations of union activists after his death.
"Joe Hill"
With Fannie Sellins there was no trial. The mother of four was a widow who became a union organizer. In August 1919 she saw cops and company goons beating a striking miner. When she tried to intervene she was shot 4 times then had her head beaten in. The cops and goons who murdered her were either acquitted or never charged.
"Fannie Sellins"
James Connolly was an Irish union organizer who was active in Scotland and Ireland. The song "Connolly Was There" tells of his career in Scottish cities "where the workers lived in hell." Later he moved to Ireland where he was one of the leaders of the Easter Uprising. He was executed by firing squad in May 1916.
"Connolly Was There"
"Smiling Sid" Hatfield was the police chief of Matewan, WV. When agents of the Baldwin-Felts detective agency tried to evict the families of striking miners from their homes, Hatfield and Mayor Testerman intervened. In the ensuing gunfight Mayor Testerman and two miners were killed as were seven of the detectives. Hatfield and 22 others were charged with the deaths of the company goons, but the charges were dismissed.
On August 1st, 1921 Hatfield was charged with blowing up a coal tipple. Standing on the courthouse steps Hatfield and Deputy Ed Chambers were shot down by Baldwin-Felts goons.
This led to the largest labor uprising in American history. The Battle of Blair Mountain took place in Logan County, WV, from August 20th to September 2nd. More than 10,000 armed and angry miners fought 3000 cops and company goons. The governor called in the army and the Army Air Corps carried out its first bombing raid on the miners at Blair Mountain. When the Army showed up on September 2nd, the miners were unwilling to fire on federal troops so the leader of the miners, Bill Blizzard, sent the miners home.
"The Battle of Blair Mountain"