HISTORY This Week: Anarchists, Lovers, and the Birth of the FBI

Episode Release Date: July 21, 2025
Host/Producer: Sally Helm
Guest Expert: Steven Johnson, Author of The Infernal: A True Story of Dynamite, Terror, and the Rise of the Modern Detective

Introduction

In this captivating episode of HISTORY This Week, host Sally Helm delves into a transformative period in American history that intertwines the fervent world of anarchism with the nascent formation of modern law enforcement. Through a narrative rich with historical insights and expert commentary, Helm explores how the radical actions of anarchists like Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman inadvertently paved the way for the creation of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

The Industrial Boom and Worker Struggles [02:33 - 07:57]

The late 19th century marked a period of rapid industrialization in the United States, transforming it from an agrarian society into an industrial powerhouse. Tycoons like Henry Clay Frick were at the forefront of this transformation, establishing vast steel mills and expanding railroads. However, this boom came at a significant cost to the American working class, many of whom were immigrants enduring grueling labor conditions.

Sally Helm [07:57]: "Frick made his fortune in the steel industry in the late 1800s. He was one of the uber-rich businessmen who directed America's transformation from agrarian backwater into an industrial superpower."

Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman: Seeds of Anarchism [07:57 - 15:31]

Emma Goldman, a Jewish immigrant from Tsarist Russia, and Alexander Berkman, also a Russian immigrant, became central figures in the American anarchist movement. Their shared experiences of oppression and exploitation fueled their radical political beliefs. Goldman, inspired by earlier acts of political violence, believed that direct action was necessary to dismantle the entrenched power structures.

Steven Johnson [10:56]: "The real original roots of the word [anarchism] just means kind of no rulers literally. And so the vision of anarchism is a vision of a society without large top-down hierarchies."

Goldman and Berkman's commitment to anarchism led them to believe that acts of violence, or "propaganda of the deed," were essential to inspire revolutionary change. Their relationship was not just political but also deeply personal, as they vowed to support each other in their radical endeavors.

The Homestead Strike: A Clash of Titans [15:31 - 19:24]

The Homestead Strike of 1892 epitomized the intense labor conflicts of the era. Workers at Henry Clay Frick's Homestead Steel Works went on strike, demanding fair wages and better working conditions. In response, Frick hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency, a private militia known for its ruthless strikebreaking tactics. The ensuing battle resulted in significant casualties on both sides and showcased the extreme measures industrialists would take to suppress labor movements.

Steven Johnson [19:05]: "It was one of the most violent moments in the history of the labor movement in the United States. And it really showcased whose side the government was on."

This violent suppression not only weakened the labor movement but also deeply angered anarchists like Berkman, setting the stage for radical retaliation against industrial leaders.

The Assassination Attempt on Henry Clay Frick [21:22 - 27:08]

Fueled by the suppression of the Homestead Strike, Alexander Berkman orchestrated an assassination attempt on Henry Clay Frick. Initially intending to use a bomb, Berkman switched to a snub-nosed revolver after his first bomb failed to detonate.

Sally Helm [21:22]: "Berkman decides, in his memoirs, that he has this kind of moment of like, oh, there's an actual human being in front of me... and he ends up firing the weapon but missing just slicing off part of Frick's ear."

The confrontation was chaotic and violent. Despite multiple shots, Frick survived, and the attempted assassination backfired, galvanizing public support for Frick and the industrial elite while undermining the labor movement.

Ben Johnson [26:53]: "It actually ends up being a colossal backfire for them. It mobilizes public support on the side of Carnegie and Frick."

Rise of Political Violence and the Anarchist Threat [28:14 - 37:58]

The early 20th century saw a surge in political violence, both in the United States and Europe, with anarchists orchestrating numerous bombings and assassinations targeting government and royalty. These acts of terror, termed "infernal machines" by the press, created widespread fear and instability.

Sally Helm [37:58]: "President Roosevelt decides to act and goes around Congress. He directs his Attorney General to create a new division of the Justice Department, the Bureau of Investigation."

The constant threat of anarchist violence led to a significant shift in American law enforcement practices, emphasizing the need for more organized and systematic policing methods.

Government Response and the Birth of the FBI [37:58 - 45:27]

In response to the pervasive anarchist threat, President Theodore Roosevelt spearheaded the establishment of a centralized investigative body. Initially met with resistance from Congress, the growing crisis eventually led to the creation of the Bureau of Investigation, the precursor to the FBI.

Steven Johnson [44:29]: "He was trained as a librarian and had two great passions: fighting radical subversives and organizing card catalogs."

J. Edgar Hoover, a young and meticulous investigator, was appointed to lead this new division. Hoover's expertise in information organization and his relentless pursuit of radicals like Goldman and Berkman marked the beginning of a new era in American law enforcement.

Sally Helm [44:58]: "Hoover creates a whole new way for the government to organize its files... a way to search the information that the government had amassed."

The Red Scare and Deportations [38:38 - 48:50]

The assassination of President William McKinley in 1901 by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist influenced by Emma Goldman, intensified fears of radicalism. In response, the government intensified its crackdown on anarchists and other radicals, leading to widespread deportations and the establishment of more sophisticated surveillance systems.

Steven Johnson [35:25]: "It's almost impossible to imagine... where there was so much concentrated successful violence in the name of a political movement."

Hoover's methods of meticulous data collection and surveillance were instrumental in suppressing radical movements, culminating in the infamous deportation of Goldman, Berkman, and hundreds of other radicals aboard the "Red Ark."

Sally Helm [46:40]: "In his first annual message to Congress, the new President Teddy Roosevelt calls anarchism a crime against the whole human race and urges all nations to fight it together."

These actions not only curtailed anarchist activities but also laid the groundwork for the modern American surveillance state, fundamentally altering the balance between security and civil liberties.

Legacy and Conclusions [48:50 - End]

The episode concludes by reflecting on the unintended consequences of anarchist violence. While their actions aimed to dismantle oppressive structures, they inadvertently facilitated the rise of a powerful, centralized law enforcement apparatus that would exert extensive control over American society for decades to come.

Sally Helm [48:50]: "It was a story of people who were deported for entirely political reasons... the exact inverted version of what they were fighting for came out of their interventions."

Alexander Berkman's tragic end and Emma Goldman's continued activism symbolize the complex interplay between radical movements and state power. The establishment of the FBI under Hoover marked a pivotal shift in how the United States addresses internal threats, balancing between maintaining order and protecting individual freedoms.

Notable Quotes

• Steven Johnson [10:56]: "I think one of the things that we have to do is remind ourselves of what anarchism really meant at the time... It doesn't like power whether."

• Sally Helm [21:22]: "Alexander Sasha Berkman has decided to assassinate the industrialist Henry Frick."

• Sally Helm [37:58]: "After the assassination, Roosevelt asks Congress for a national detective force... But Congress says no."

• Sally Helm [46:14]: "Tallied up, Translator: 'This is information science. It's managing data and the data ends up being in a sense more powerful than dynamite.'"

Conclusion

This episode of HISTORY This Week masterfully unpacks a critical juncture in American history where radical political movements and industrial power converged, leading to the formation of one of the most influential law enforcement agencies in the world. Through the lens of Emma Goldman and Alexander Berkman's lives, the narrative illustrates the profound and often unintended impacts of political violence on societal structures.

For further exploration, the episode references several key works, including Love Anarchy and Emma Goldman by Candace Falk, American Anarchy by Michael Woolrich, and Sasha and Emma by Paul Avrich and Karen Aviva.

Stay Connected:
To stay updated on all things History This Week, visit historythisweekpodcast.com or email historythisweek@history.com. Follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Instagram for exclusive content and updates.

This detailed summary is based on the transcript provided and captures the essence and key discussions of the episode, ensuring clarity and engagement for those who have not listened to the podcast.