Arsenal for Democracy

Description: Bill and Rachel discuss the era of newsreels from 1908 to the 1950s and the early plastic technology that made them possible. Links and notes for Ep. 404 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AFD-Ep-404-Links-and-Notes-Nitrocellulose-and-Newsreels.pdf Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Description: PVC is a plastic all around us today, shaping our lives and the built environment. This week’s episode from Bill and Rachel is about that. Links and notes for Ep. 403 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AFD-Ep-403-Links-and-Notes-Vinyl-PVC.pdf Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Description: A convergence of auto loans, reorganized home mortgages, and falling materials costs by 1910 launched the vast neighborhoods of durable bungalow single-family homes that brought white industrial workers into the American middle class and political power. (Bill and Rachel) Links and notes for Ep. 402 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/AFD-Ep-402-Links-and-Notes-Bungalows-Workers-Cottages.pdf Theme music … Read more

Description: Bill and Rachel discuss the origins of the National Flood Insurance Program and its consequences and then examine a new financialization scheme in disaster relief money. Links and notes for Ep. 401 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/AFD-Ep-401-Links-and-Notes-National-Flood-Insurance-Program.pdf Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Description: 100 years ago this week, on November 23, 1921, the first US government attempt at a modest social welfare program (focused on maternal and infant health) became law. Reactionary forces unraveled it by 1929, but it was influential regardless. Bill and Rachel discuss. Links and notes for Ep. 400 … Read more

Unlocked from our Patreon: Bill and Rachel discuss turn-of-the-century Toledo mayor and progressive industrialist Samuel Milton “Golden Rule” Jones and reflect on the limitations of his popular but unusual brand of Christian socialism made possible by his oil money. (New episodes return soon!) Links and Notes for Ep. 359 (PDF): … Read more

Unlocked from our Patreon since the strikes are continuing: There are mine strikes in Alabama right now. Bill and Rachel look back at the racially-integrated Alabama coal strikes of 1908 and 1920. Links and notes for Ep. 383 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bonus-AFD-Ep-383-Links-and-Notes-Racially-Integrated-Alabama-Mine-Strikes-of-1908-1920.pdf Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Unlocked from our Patreon: Bill and Rachel examine the evolution of the US timber industry during the Second Industrial Revolution away from raw material supply to mass-produced, manufactured forest products. Links and notes for Ep. 369 (PDF): http://arsenalfordemocracy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Bonus-AFD-EP-369-Links-and-Notes-Forest-Products.pdf Theme music by Stunt Bird.

Unlocked Patreon episode: In the early 19th century, the New England region of the United States emerged as the global leader of a lucrative new industry that would change the world: Harvesting and transporting ice from ponds and rivers. Nate and Bill discuss. Links and notes for Ep. 351 (PDF): … Read more

The 5th part of our miniseries on money itself during the 2nd Industrial Revolution in the US. Bill and Rachel look at the ideology of consumer finance, the rise of home and auto loans, and how the seeds of the 21st century financialization were planted long ago. Links and notes … Read more