The War at Home: Rebellion

The War at Home: Rebellion

2020, Society  -   14 Comments
7.63
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Ratings: 7.63/10 from 57 users.

For many of us, the word "Rebellion" conjures up the plot from a popular movie - you know the one - with that loyal group of rebels bravely fighting against an evil Galactic empire?

It is something you don't really associate with America because it is a country that has never been conquered since it won its freedom from Britain. However, America did experience various uprisings from 1886 to the late 1930s. Yes, this was a thing in the United States back then and who or what were they rebelling against and why?

The answer is that Americans workers waged a half-century rebellion against the corporations who employed them in protest of their lack of freedom from labor inequality.

Immediately after the Civil War, America experienced a massive industrialization boom made possible by new "tech," such as the telegraph and the railroad, which improved communications and boosted productivity. For the first time, farmers could transport natural resources such as cotton, coal, and grain all over the country at higher speeds. Industrialization was extraordinarily rapid and so widespread that the USA became the world's leading industrialized nation from 1865 to 1913!

Famous American businessmen such as Rockefeller, Carnegie and others formed monopolies, particularly in the steel, railroad and manufacturing industries. Of course, for the industry to move workers were needed and, with the country's growing population, and the arrival of many immigrants from Europe, the supply of labor seemed never-ending.

But almost all workers lived and toiled in horrible conditions, with 12 to 16-hour shifts, no pension, health benefits, job security or even day-offs. Company profits were increasing, yet it did not trickle down to the employees.

Over time, these workers began to push back against the big corporations. Workers across America organized themselves no matter their sex, religion or race. Unions were born, and they demanded or collectively bargained for better working conditions and to end unfair labor practices immediately.

This thrilling first part is an in-depth guide on how the American labor movement unfolded, its ties to American industrial economics and how equality is also an aspect of freedom.

Directed by: Scott Noble

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AlbinoViper
AlbinoViper
2 years ago

if you ain't against all corruption then you're not against ANY corruption!

irocke
irocke
2 years ago

The Great Depression caused massive economic havoc. Lots of businesses closed, shrank, shut down portions of their business, laid off employees. There were lots of bad decisions made by all groups and sides. Private security being used to break up protests and the resulting violence is unacceptable, you are preaching to the choir about that being a bad call by Ford. Private police used by big business backed by government to oppress workers is indeed bad. Oh, but wait, a democrat and socialist is now in charge of the government, hurray, we are saved, government power is fantastic, defund the police and hire private security to keep everyone safe . . .

irocke
irocke
2 years ago

Henry Ford had his problems, that is true. The assembly line does have dehumanizing qualities, that is true. I can concede that there is merit to the charges against Ford in this film. The disparity between rich and poor is also very true and the outrage against it just.

But to go from criticizing Henry Ford and immediately to income inequality makes me question some intentions in the message of the film. Henry Ford after noticing how many employees were calling in sick/absent/injured/etc. talked with his employees and heard them out. He increased wages to double that of the national average, decreased hours, added breaks in the work day. His goal was to build the best possible automobile, at the lowest possible cost, and sold for the lowest possible amount. He decided to pay a wage that enabled his employees to be able to afford a vehicle. Absenteeism dropped to among the lowest in the nation for employers, the number of people seeking to work for him increased dramatically compared to other companies of the time, because he took better care of his employees than many others. Also, the assembly line helped give the efficiency that gave the company the ability to afford paying higher wages without raising product prices allowing more sales to earn more profit that he shared with employees far more than other industrialists of his time.

Absolutely Henry Ford had his problems and made mistakes. But omitting the good things he did and merely demonizing him makes me wonder what else might have been omitted in the film. History is complex, a singular narrative is not an accurate portrayal of events. When others leave out the elements of events the film mentions, they are wrong; it is good of the film to add to our understanding of events. But do not think that this is a complete picture.

David Dieni
David Dieni
2 years ago

The insurmountable problem we face that will lead to our self annihalation, is the bewildering infantile cowardice and utter stupidity of "white western populations". idiots who do not understand their standard of living has been maintained by the subjugation of 3rd world populations.

The third world is not poor, it is resource rich, it is the overthrowing of governmnet by mainly the USA in order to rape their resources and forcing their populations into the misery of sweat shop slave labor that has them starving, as, US citizens per capita use 50X the energy resources of someone living in the third world and twice that of other first world nations.

Over population concerns...the drain on resources is caused by the USA, not China or India....whose people use all energy.

Now that over half the worlds oil resources have been depleted, the USA has been busy murdering and displacing millions in order to control the last of the land based oil, while witted westerners vote for these animals and are just as guilty.

Infantile malicious id**ts, whom blame everyone for the problems we cause
GROWUP

Ross Valigura
Ross Valigura
3 years ago

You must be another one of Googles bitches, I will never come here again.

Ross Valigura
Ross Valigura
3 years ago

You ******* millionaires and above forget one ******* thing, you can't buy a loaf of bread, unless someone makes it, and most importantly, is willing to sell it to you.

Ross Valigura
Ross Valigura
3 years ago

OK, since the TRUTH does not bother you, I am a Marine, once again, LET MET WATCH THE ******* VIDEO.

Ross Valigura
Ross Valigura
3 years ago

GODDAMNIT, since I posted my last comment, I can't watch 5 seconds of a video without interruption. 15Mbs, that I am paying for, LET ME WATCH THE ******* VIDEO.

Ross Valigura
Ross Valigura
3 years ago

This site is starting to look alot like youtube, if you look at a video that does not comply with the "far left" standard, it takes much, much longer to load, even on a 15Mbs connection.

Michael
Michael
3 years ago

Looks like there are bots at work, voting this down.

Sharon
Sharon
3 years ago

Why isn't this film getting top ratings and excellent reviews? This is a fantastic history lesson. Everyone should see it in these days of 'make America great again.' These slogans are from people who don't know history. Every high school kid should see this in class. Very informative film, well researched, doesn't gloss over the real history of labor, capitalism and industrialization. It's not an anti-capitalist film, it's just realistic and follows historic events and what and who was behind them. Real history, really well done.