186 years ago, with the US economy starting to melt down, New Yorkers rioted against alleged grain and flour hoarding. But discontent was much more widespread, as Locofocos and armed “Patriot” paramilitaries soon made clear. Bill and Rachel.

Links and notes for ep. 459 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AFD-Ep-459-Links-and-Notes-NYC-Flour-Riot-of-1837.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post The New York City Flour Riot of February 1837 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 459 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

In 1857, Waltham, Massachusetts jumped from the First to the Second Industrial Revolution by becoming the global home of the mass-produced pocketwatch, capitalizing on the railroad industry and then the American Civil War.

Links and notes for ep. 458 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/AFD-Ep-458-Links-and-Notes-1IR_-Watch-City.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Feb 5, 2023 – Watch City – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 458 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

How some of the most powerful, wealthy political players in antebellum Massachusetts went from controlling state politics completely to hopelessly funding the Constitutional Union Party in 1860. [Continued from parts I and II]

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Links and notes for ep. 457 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AFD-Ep-457-Links-and-Notes-1IR_-The-Boston-Associates-Part-III_-The-Doomed-Whigs.pdf

The post The Boston Associates, Part III: The Doomed Whigs – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 457 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

As an early group of 19th century Boston investors became even richer with less effort, via textile production, and as society became more alienated, they turned from charity to philanthropy to protect their power (and to have something to do). [Continued from part I.]

Links and notes for ep. 456 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AFD-Ep-456-Links-and-Notes-1IR_-The-Boston-Associates-Part-II_-The-Creation-of-American-Philanthropy.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post The Boston Associates, Part II: The Invention of American Philanthropy – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 456 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

In the 1810s, a close-knit group of rich investors based in Boston decided to adopt and adapt emerging industrial capitalism, via the textile industry, in a way that would preserve and grow their existing wealth and power. The Waltham-Lowell System was born.

Links and notes for ep. 455 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/AFD-Ep-455-Links-and-Notes-1IR_-The-Boston-Associates.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post The Boston Associates, Part I: Rise of the Machines – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 455 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

To prepare for a series on early industrial Massachusetts we’re unlocking this episode from Patreon: Bill and Rachel examine what an 1842 Massachusetts court decision can tell us about the process of industrialization and the emergence of labor unions and what parallels we can draw for modern gig workers.

Links and notes for ep. 349 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Bonus-AFD-Ep-349-Links-and-Notes-State-level-labor-law-part-2_-Early-history.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post [Unlocked] Feb 9, 2021 – State-Level Labor Law, Part II – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 349 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

Unlocked from our Patreon: Bill and Rachel discuss the 2005 documentary “Sir! No Sir!” on US military service members who resisted the Vietnam War.

Links and notes for ep. 373 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Bonus-AFD-Ep-373-Links-and-Notes-Military-Resistance-to-the-Vietnam-War.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post [Unlocked] May 11, 2021 – Military Resistance to the Vietnam War – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 373 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

Bill and Rachel discuss some interesting American history topics from 150, 100, and 50 years ago that did not make the cut for their own full anniversary episodes this year.

Links and notes for ep. 454 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AFD-Ep-454-Links-and-Notes-2022-Year-End-Anniversary-Roundup-Episode.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Dec 27, 2022 – 1872, 1922, and 1972 in review – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 454 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

In 1887, the Knights of Labor organized a huge strike by Black sugarcane workers in Louisiana, which was suppressed with massive lethal force. (Content warning.) New Orleans-based guest Justin LaGrande returns to discuss the circumstances and recent efforts to bring it to greater light.

Links and notes for ep. 453 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AFD-Ep-453-Links-and-Notes-Thibodaux-Massacre-of-1887.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Dec 18, 2022 – The Thibodaux Massacre of 1887 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 453 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.

Bill and Rachel examine the relatively minor failed Burlington railroad engineers and firemen strike in 1888, which had a profound effect on Eugene V. Debs.

Links and notes for ep. 452 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/AFD-Ep-452-Links-and-Notes-Burlington-railroad-strike-of-1888.pdf

Theme music by Stunt Bird.

The post Dec 11, 2022 – The Burlington Railroad Strike of 1888 – Arsenal For Democracy Ep. 452 appeared first on Arsenal For Democracy.