HISTORY This Week Anarchists, Lovers, and the Birth of the FBI
Jul 21, 2025
Steven Johnson, author of The Infernal Machine, dives into the explosive intersection of labor unrest and anarchism in 1892. He explores the dramatic assassination attempt on industrialist Henry Clay Frick by anarchist Alexander Berkman, fueled by his partnership with Emma Goldman. Johnson discusses how this pivotal moment not only highlighted the urgent struggles between workers and capital but also paved the way for the rise of modern law enforcement under J. Edgar Hoover, reshaping society’s approach to activism, dissent, and political violence.
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Emma and Sasha's Fateful Meeting
- Emma Goldman arrived in New York City with $5 and a sewing machine, lost amidst the sprawling city.
- She met Alexander Berkman, their bond was forged over shared politics and dreams of anarchism.
Anarchism Means No Rulers
- Anarchism means society without rulers, opposing all forms of centralized power.
- It's a vision equally hostile to corporate and government hierarchies, aiming for no rulers.
Homestead Strike Violent Clash
- The Homestead strike led to violent clashes between Pinkerton agents and workers, ending in a government troop takeover.
- Frick used a private militia and state forces to crush the strike, reopening the mill with strikebreakers.
