IWW Expository

The IWW (Industrial Workers of the World) is a labor union. It was founded in 1905, and is still running strong. The union fights for better rights for laborers and opposes warfare. This is shown in one part of their mission statement that can be found on their website: “The working class and the employing class have nothing in common. There can be no peace so long as hunger and want are found among millions of the working people and the few, who make up the employing class, have all the good things of life.”

The IWW played a big part in American history. It changed many people’s opinions about capitalism, and made the public aware of the plight of laborers. It also encouraged desertion from the army. The union is completely against wars. They presented their opinions to the government in the forms pamphlets, strikes, demonstrations, etc.

In 1912, the union was at its peak. It had around 50,000 members, compromised mostly of laborers. Back then, there was a lot of government repression. The government also tried again and again to get the public against the union. Even though it went through such hard times, the union still stands proudly today, never faltering from its task.