2017 PNLHA Conference

Echoes of the 1917 Russian Revolution; Decades of Radicalism and Red Scares in the Labour Movements of the Pacific Northwest

May 26 – 28, 2017
Vancouver, British Columbia

Sponsors: Pacific Northwest Labour History Association & BC Labour Heritage Centre

The Russian Revolution was one of the most significant events of its decade. As described in Oregonian John Reed’s book, there were events leading to and flowing from those “Ten Days That Shook the World” in October 1917.

In Canada and the US, many workers saw an opportunity for class war, believing that socialism could overcome capitalism as the dominant political reality. In the Pacific Northwest, new forms of industrial organizing were bolstered by aspirations of a new world order, and the labour movement briefly swelled with enthusiastic members who were eager to be part of the change.

Communists and socialists developed as key leaders in the labour movement, and in organizing the unemployed and disenfranchised. General strikes in Vancouver, Seattle, and Winnipeg, the OBU, On-to-Ottawa Trek, and jobless sit-down strikes, and new unions of woodworkers, miners, shipyard workers, and fishers were all communist and socialist-led.

But capitalism held firm and enjoyed the resources and political clout of the wealthy. Activists were tagged as Bolsheviks and foreign-born agitators risked deportation for their activism.

The cold-war politics lasted decades, with “red-led” unions subject to purges and disbandment. Many individuals suffered personal consequences, including losing their livelihood.

This conference explored the impacts and lasting influences of this history on contemporary labour.

Topics included:
  • Tim Buck’s writings on the impact of the revolution on communism and trade unionism in Canada
  • The McCarthy era, purges and the weakening of radical unionism
  • RCMP and CIA compilations on various unions and their leaders
  • The Mac-Paps and Lincoln Brigades – Journeys to Spain to fight fascism
  • The discourse of Anna Louise Strong and John Reed
  • Cultural expressions through art, music, poetry, and theatre
  • Lesser known issues of race and gender
  • General Strikes in 1919: Seattle and Winnipeg, plus sympathy strikes
  • Contemporary reflections
  • Presentations on topics unrelated to the theme were also encouraged