About this episode
This episode explores the historical context of political violence in America, tracing its impact on the left and examining past events that shaped current protests against the Trump administration.
As demonstrators openly debate whether violence is justified to resist the Trump administration, we step back to ask: Have we been here before? This episode traces a largely forgotten chapter of American history – from the Haymarket Riot to anarchist assassinations, government crackdowns, and the birth of the FBI and the ACLU – to show how cycles of political violence and state power have shaped the American left for more than a century. The story reveals how moments meant to spark revolution often end by transforming the country in ways no one intended. For this story – in addition to speaking with dozens of protestors, modern day anarchists, community organizers, and historians – we also read these books, which we highly recommend: The President and the Assassin by Scott Miller The Republic for Which It Stands by Richard White American Colossus by H.W. Brands The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin Luigi Galleani: The Most Dangerous Anarchist in America by Antonio Senta and Sean Sayers And if you’re interested in Scott Miller’s work, he just released a new book called Let My Country Awake: Indian Revolutionaries in America and the Fight to Overthrow the British Raj CREDITS…
People in this episode
Hosts: Andy Mills, Ethan Mannello, Cobey Bienert, Jacob Boll
Topics covered
- political violence
- American history
- anarchism
- protests
- state power
- social movements
Keywords
- Trump administration
- Haymarket Riot
- anarchist assassinations
- government crackdowns
- FBI
- ACLU
- political cycles
- revolution
- protestors
- community organizers
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: FBI, ACLU
Books & works: The President and the Assassin, The Republic for Which It Stands, American Colossus, The Bully Pulpit, Luigi Galleani: The Most Dangerous Anarchist in America, Let My Country Awake: Indian Revolutionaries in America and the Fight to Overthrow the British Raj
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