The Trial of the Haymarket Anarchists
The Trial of the Haymarket Anarchists is a non-fiction work authored by American historian Timothy Messer-Kruse. He examines the Haymarket affair using analysis of multiple primary source materials. The book was published by Palgrave Macmillan on August 15, 2011.
Background and contents
Messer-Kruse has served as the Dean of the Graduate College at Bowling Green State University. Previous books authored by him include The Yankee International: Marxism and the American Reform Tradition.
The author concludes that, while often portrayed as reformers focused on specific labor rights, the individuals sentenced after the trial were ideologically devoted anarchists believing in total revolution. He cites various statements directly advocating violence as well as clear-cut connections to preparations for bloodshed. While viewing the trial as unfair according to modern standards of justice, particularly due to the atmosphere of prejudice against the defendants, he argues that the general findings of the prosecution proved correct.
Reviews and responses
The publication Time Out Chicago stated that "Messer-Kruse chronicles Chicago's underground network of anarchists sensational stories, ripe for a Hollywood movie."
An article published by The American Historical Review called the book a "valuable and unsentimental account of a salient episode in labor and leftist history." As well, a review by The Journal of American History stated, "Messer-Kruse has done an immense amount of research for this book and includes a useful explanation of how Chicago anarchists were highly influenced by 'propaganda by the deed' European anarchists."[1]
See also
References
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