Watch and Discuss: 1877: The Grand Army of Starvation

East Side Freedom Library・2 minutes read

The Eastside Freedom Library hosts a monthly labor history film series featuring the documentary "1877: The Grand Army of Starvation" by the American Social History Project, emphasizing the importance of labor history and class struggle in shaping American society through the Great Railroad Strike of 1877 and its impact on industrial capitalism and equality in America.

Insights

  • The Eastside Freedom Library hosts a monthly labor history film series on the second Friday of each month, showcasing documentaries like "1877: The Grand Army of Starvation" that delve into pivotal moments like the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, emphasizing the importance of class struggle and ordinary people in shaping American society.
  • The American Social History Project, founded by Steve Brier and Herb Guttman, aimed to democratize labor history by creating accessible educational materials through a blend of documentary and dramatic elements, funded by organizations like the NEH and Ford Foundation, ultimately shedding light on the impact of events like the 1877 strike in reshaping societal views on equality and industrial capitalism.

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Recent questions

  • What is the Eastside Freedom Library film series about?

    Labor history documentaries

  • Who produced the documentary "1877: The Grand Army of Starvation"?

    American Social History Project

  • Who founded the American Social History Project?

    Steve Brier

  • What was the goal of the American Social History Project?

    Disseminate labor history

  • What was the significance of the Great Railroad Strike of 1877?

    Protest against working conditions

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Summary

00:00

Labor History Film Series at Eastside Library

  • The Eastside Freedom Library hosts a monthly labor history film series on the second Friday of each month.
  • The documentary film "1877: The Grand Army of Starvation" was produced by the American Social History Project in the mid-1980s.
  • Steve Brier, the founder and director of the American Social History Project, discusses the project and the importance of labor history in a brief talk.
  • The American Social History Project originated from summer seminars funded by the NEH in the late 1970s, led by historian Herb Guttman.
  • The project aimed to create a curriculum to disseminate labor history to a broader audience beyond academic publications.
  • The project received funding from the NEH and the Ford Foundation, leading to the creation of the American Social History Project in 1981.
  • The project's first documentary film focused on the Great Railroad Strike of 1877, a significant industrial rebellion in the United States.
  • The film utilized a mix of documentary and dramatic elements, including colorizing historical photographs for accessibility.
  • James Earl Jones, known for his role as Darth Vader, provided the voice-over narration for the documentary.
  • The film highlights the significance of class struggle and labor history in shaping American society, emphasizing the importance of ordinary people in history.

20:14

Railroad Strike of 1877: Workers vs. Militia

  • On July 16th, Zip and his fellow workers in Martinsburg, West Virginia, stopped trains due to a 10% wage cut and layoffs by the Pennsylvania Railroad.
  • In Pittsburgh, opposition to the cutbacks led to a standoff as railroad workers refused to let trains move, causing freight cars to pile up in the yard.
  • The Pennsylvania Railroad officials refused to negotiate with the strikers, leading to tensions and clashes with the state militia in various cities.
  • The conflict escalated in Pittsburgh as the Philadelphia militia charged the crowd, resulting in casualties and property destruction.
  • The strike spread nationwide, with workers in various cities joining in solidarity, leading to clashes with police and militia forces.
  • Despite the destruction and casualties, the strike continued for two weeks until federal troops were called in to break it.
  • The aftermath of the strike saw increased police powers and militarization across the country, with a focus on suppressing future uprisings.
  • The strike of 1877 was seen as a protest against harsh working conditions and economic inequality, signaling a new battle over the meaning of equality in America.
  • The strike highlighted the growing power of industrial capitalism and the need for all Americans to share in the benefits of industrial society.
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