Episode Notes

After a longer than intended delay, here is Episode 4, the last of the long background episodes! Today we take on quite a lot: Who was Karl Marx, why did he criticize capitalism and want to overthrow it for socialism? Why did our strikeleaders take on Marx's philosophy? And anyway, who are the strikeleaders?

Following an introduction to Karl Marx, the episode introduces Carl Skoglund, the "Old Swede," and the three Dunne Brothers, Ray, Miles, and Grant. Given Skoglund's and Ray Dunne's own membership in their early years, we also discuss the Industrial Workers of the World (Wobblies) and their political philosophy. We then turn to the Russian Revolution, the formation of the Communist Party, and its later split, and how all of this influenced the political scene of Minneapolis. Like I say in the episode, this is a lot! But it's all necessary.

Because we are discussing the IWW, I want to point out their important ongoing work in helping facilitate the nationwide prison strike. You can read more about it here.

Main Sources (not about the Teamsters): For Marx's ideas, straight from the source itself: Karl Marx, Value, Price, and Profit.

For another take on Marx's political and economic ideas, this 4-minute 8-Bit Philosophy video on Youtube is a good introduction.

For syndicalism, Wobblies, and their interaction with the Bolsheviks: Ralph Darlington, Radical Unionism.

For the Russian Revolution: Victor Serge, Year One of the Russian Revolution.

For a readable account of and introduction to the Russian Revolution, check out October by popular science-fiction author, China Mieville.

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