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Working Class History

Latest episodes

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May 2, 2024 • 15min

E85: [TEASER] May Day with Upstream

Teaser extract from an episode exclusively for our patreon supporters. Episode produced by Upstream in conversation with John from Working Class History talking about the history of May Day, International Workers’ Day, from its modern origins in Chicago in 1886, to its mediaeval roots, and its relevance today.Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryMade exclusively for Upstream’s patreon supporters, we are happy to be able to share it with our patreon supporters as well. Listen to the full episode without adverts here:E85: May Day with Upstream on patreon More informationCheck out Upstream at upstreampodcast.orgSupport Upstream on patreon at patreon.com/upstreampodcast.Learn more about the history of May Day in this book in our online store: The Incomplete, True, Authentic, And Wonderful History Of May Day by Peter LinebaughLearn more about the 1886 strike and other mass strikes in US history in this book: Strike! by Jeremy Brecher.Check out our May Day posters and merch here in our online store: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com/collections/all/may-dayEpisode webpage for show notes here on our website: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e85-may-day-with-upstream/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Jan 30, 2024 • 3min

Introducing On This Day in Working Class History: A new daily podcast from WCH

Introducing a brand-new daily podcast from the team at WCH. On This Day in Working Class History will be a brief reminder each morning of our collective struggles for a better world which have taken place on this date in history.Launching on 1 February on a trial basis, each episode will be just a couple of minutes long, highlighting one anniversary from our archive each day. It’s designed to fit into your morning schedule, alongside news headlines, and to be shared on social media with your friends, colleagues and families.SubscribeListen and subscribe to this podcast wherever you listen to podcasts. Links to a few major apps here:Apple podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Podbean | PodcastAddict | RSSAcknowledgementsEdited by Working Class History.Theme music by Ricardo Araya. Check out his YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@peptoattackLearn more at https://workingclasshistory.com/blog/new-podcast-coming-soon-on-this-day-in-working-class-history/Our work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at https://patreon.com/workingclasshistory.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Jan 18, 2024 • 44min

E84: Angry Brigade, part 2

Second in a double podcast about the Angry Brigade, Britain’s first home-grown urban guerrilla group, in the 1960s and 70s, in conversation with John Barker, who was put on trial as part of the group.Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryContinuing our recent series of episodes about the UK in the 1970s, this is a re-edited, improved and re-released version of our episodes 2-3. It contains numerous additional audio clips, and written narrative to provide context and more information.More informationGordon Carr, The Angry Brigade: A History Of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group (PM Press, 2010) – a detailed history of the Angry Brigade.The Angry Brigade 1967-1984: Documents And Chronology (Active Distribution) – a pamphlet containing a detailed chronology of the organisation and the scene of which it was a part, as well as documents produced by the groupThe Angry Brigade: The Spectacular Rise And Fall Of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group – a DVD documentary by Gordon Carr on the history of the group.John Barker, Futures (PM Press, 2014) – novel by John Barker set in Thatcher’s Britain.Timeline of Stories about the Angry BrigadeTheHarrier.net – John Barker’s website including his other books and writings.Anselm Jappe, Guy Debord (PM Press, 2018) – the best biography of Situationist intellectual Guy Debord.Red Army Faction books – a collection of books about the German RAF.John Barker’s radical London playlist – a collection of tracks which Brigaders were listening to at the time.AcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.Edited by Tyler HillTheme tune is ‘Bella Ciao’, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.More information, sources, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e83-4-angry-brigade/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Jan 10, 2024 • 44min

E83: Angry Brigade, part 1

Double podcast about the Angry Brigade, Britain’s first home-grown urban guerrilla group, in the 1960s and 70s, in conversation with John Barker, who was put on trial as part of the group.Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryContinuing our recent series of episodes about the UK in the 1970s, this is a re-edited, improved and re-released version of our episodes 2-3. It contains numerous additional audio clips, and written narrative to provide context and more information.More informationGordon Carr, The Angry Brigade: A History Of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group (PM Press, 2010) – a detailed history of the Angry Brigade.The Angry Brigade 1967-1984: Documents And Chronology (Active Distribution) – a pamphlet containing a detailed chronology of the organisation and the scene of which it was a part, as well as documents produced by the groupThe Angry Brigade: The Spectacular Rise And Fall Of Britain’s First Urban Guerilla Group – a DVD documentary by Gordon Carr on the history of the group.John Barker, Futures (PM Press, 2014) – novel by John Barker set in Thatcher’s Britain.Timeline of Stories about the Angry BrigadeTheHarrier.net – John Barker’s website including his other books and writings.Anselm Jappe, Guy Debord (PM Press, 2018) – the best biography of Situationist intellectual Guy Debord.Red Army Faction books – a collection of books about the German RAF.John Barker’s radical London playlist – a collection of tracks which Brigaders were listening to at the time.AcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.Edited by Tyler HillTheme tune is ‘Bella Ciao’, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.More information, sources, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e83-4-angry-brigade/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Nov 2, 2023 • 49min

E82: Workmates collective

Podcast episode about the Workmates collective, a rank-and-file initiative on the London Underground using unofficial direct action and workplace assemblies to fight privatisation in the late-1990s/early 2000s.Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Sign up and get access to exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryIn this episode, we speak to Andy Littlechild, a former London Underground worker and activist with the Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) union. He explains how the Labour government introduced privatisation to the Underground, how the Workmates mass meetings began, the start of the Workmates delegate council, the 'Job-and-Knock' dispute, and the eventual demise of the 'Public Private Partnership'.E82.1 bonus episode: Andy discusses the politics of anarcho-syndicalism and their influence on his organising. He also tells us about a failed attempt by London Underground management to sack him for his workplace activismMore information about this episode, including sources, images, links, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e82-workmates-collective/Learn more in our exclusive bonus episode, coming soon for our patreon supporters.AcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.Episode graphic: reworked image originally by Matt Buck (CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed)Edited by Jesse FrenchTheme tune is 'Bella Ciao', thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Oct 17, 2023 • 46min

E81: Miners' strikes 1972-4

Podcast episode about strikes by miners in Britain in 1972 and 1974, in conversation with Dave Douglass.Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Sign up and get access to exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryContinuing our intermittent series of podcast episodes about the great strike of UK miners from 1984-5, we tell the story of what came beforehand. In this episode, we look at the historical background, and learn about the national wildcat strike in 1969, as well as the huge, nationwide official strikes of 1972 and 1974, which both defeated the Conservative government and eventually brought it down.E81.1 bonus episode: more about Dave’s revolutionary politics, day-to-day work in the mines, and discussion of popular images of the 1970s in the UK today. Available exclusively for our patreon supporters.More information about this episode, including sources, photographs, links, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/blog/e81-miners-strikes-1972-4/AcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.Episode graphic: © NLA/reportdigital.co.uk.Edited by Louise BarryTheme tune courtesy of the Easington Colliery Brass Band.Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Oct 4, 2023 • 37min

E80: Italian resistance, part 4

The fourth and final episode of our podcast series on the Italian resistance to fascism in conversation with anti-fascist partisans themselves.In this episode, we look at the postwar anti-fascist resistance: from armed partisan rebellions and the so-called ‘Triangle of Death’ to the 1960 anti-Tambroni riots in Genoa, as well as how the resistance is (mis)remembered today.Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryGet Italian resistance merchAcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.Edited by Tyler HillEpisode graphic: public domain.Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.Show notes, along with sources, photos, further reading, and a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e77-80-italian-resistance/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Sep 27, 2023 • 32min

E79: Italian resistance, part 3

Part 3 of our four-part podcast series on the Italian resistance to fascism in conversation with anti-fascist partisans themselves.In this episode, we look at the question of 'the resistance betrayed': the Togliatti amnesty, what happened to fascists and anti-fascists immediately after the war, and how Italy's fascist movement was allowed to rebuild itself.Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryGet Italian resistance merchAcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.Edited by Tyler HillEpisode graphic: public domain.Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.Show notes, along with sources, photos, further reading, and a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e77-80-italian-resistance/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Sep 20, 2023 • 36min

E78: Italian resistance, part 2

Part 2 of our four-part podcast series on the Italian resistance to fascism in conversation with anti-fascist partisans themselves.In this episode, we discuss the participation of migrant partisans in the resistance, what the resistance looked like in the cities, the raid of the Jewish ghetto in Rome and, finally, liberation and the execution of Mussolini.Our podcast is brought to you by our patreon supporters. Our supporters fund our work, and in return get exclusive early access to podcast episodes, ad-free episodes, bonus episodes, free and discounted merchandise and other content. Join us or find out more at patreon.com/workingclasshistoryGet Italian resistance merchAcknowledgementsThanks to our patreon supporters for making this podcast possible. Special thanks to Jazz Hands, Jamison D. Saltsman and Fernando López Ojeda.Edited by Tyler HillEpisode graphic: public domain.Our theme tune is Bella Ciao, thanks for permission to use it from Dischi del Sole. You can purchase it here or stream it here.Show notes, along with sources, photos, further reading, and eventually a transcript on the webpage for this episode: https://workingclasshistory.com/podcast/e77-80-italian-resistance/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/working-class-history--5711490/support.
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Sep 13, 2023 • 38min

E77: Italian resistance, part 1

Explore the rise of fascism in Italy, the start of the resistance during World War Two, and the participation of women. Learn about the heroic acts of ordinary people, the Communist controlled Garibaldi brigades, and the brutal actions of the Nazis and fascists.

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