How Socialism Came to Canada as an American Import
November 252009
Damn Yankees!
Like the Free State Project in reverse, in the early 1900’s American farmers’ organizations headed north with their socialist politics, leading to the creation of the Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (C.C.F.) which swept provincial elections in Saskatchewan in 1944 to become the first socialist government in North America. In 1961 the C.C.F. became the New Democratic Party (NDP) which still exists in the modern day.
This sample clip is from the film “Heaven on Earth: The Rise and Fall of Socialism” which explores Socialism’s meteoric rise and spectacular fall in a three-hour PBS documentary miniseries. The film traces socialism’s evolution through a series of compelling profiles of the movement’s most important figures: Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, Eduard Bernstein, Samuel Gompers, Clement Attlee, Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, Deng Xiaoping, Mikhail Gorbachev, Tony Blair and the man who first coined the term “socialism,” Robert Owen.
A summary of the chapters within the 3 hours:
HOUR 1: THE RISE
ROBERT OWEN & UTOPIAN SOCIALISM IN NEW HARMONY INDIANA
In 1825 a progressive British industrialist travels to America to create a utopian community. Owen believes that abolishing private property will liberate mankind.
MARX AND ENGELS: BIRTH OF A MANIFESTO
Two young Germans forge a friendship that gives birth to the Communist Manifesto. Their analysis of history as a struggle between classes and their prophecy of the inevitable overthrow of capitalism define the movement.
EDUARD BERNSTEIN & A CRISIS OF FAITH
At the end of the 19th century, the intellectual heir of Marxism tries to reconcile the prediction of labor’s revolt with the reality of improved working conditions. The movement splits, Communism and Social Democracy part ways.
LENIN & THE BOLSHEVIK REVOLUTION
Vladimir Lenin responds to Bernstein’s critique by igniting a violent revolution and creating the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
SAMUEL GOMPERS & AMERICAN LABOR
While Europe faces revolution, American workers are organized by a former cigar-maker. Gompers rejects socialism and helps give birth to the American Federation of Labor.
CANADIAN SOCIALISM
See above.
HOUR 2: REVOLUTIONS
MUSSOLINI & FASCISM
Inspired by Lenin’s Russian revolution, Italy’s Benito Mussolini embraces socialism and joins forces with Adolf Hitler to create National Socialism, or fascism.
CHINA & THE SPREAD OF COMMUNISM
Following World War II, Mao Zedong reforms China through nationalized industry, collectivized agriculture and complete state control over every aspect of daily life.
CLEMENT ATTLEE & SOCIAL DEMOCRACY
In Britain, a different kind of socialism takes hold after the Second World War, democratic socialism. Attlee’s Labour Party creates a comprehensive social welfare system and nationalizes major British industries.
THE KIBBUTZ
The Zionist movement in Israel creates collective socialist villages called kibbutzim. Residents of Kibbutz Ginosar describe the early years of this communal experiment.
JULIUS NYERERE & THIRD WORLD SOCIALISM
With the end of British colonial rule, Julius “Mwalimu” Nyerere turns to socialism to reshape Tanzania. He blends the teachings of Marx with African traditions to create what is heralded as the developing world’s alternative to Soviet-style communism.
GREAT BRITAIN IN THE 1970s
Economic stagnation challenges the Labour Party’s hold on British politics and opens the door for Margaret Thatcher’s conservative government.
THE KIBBUTZ PART II
As the second generation comes of age on the kibbutz, these socialist communities gradually move away from collectivism.
TANZANIA’S UJAMAA VILLAGES
Impatient with the lack of socialist progress, Nyerere begins to force Tanzanian’s to adopt his vision of the ideal collective society.
HOUR 3: THE COLLAPSE
GORBACHEV & REFORM
Mikhail Gorbachev confronts the violent past of Stalinism, but his efforts to bring a new openness to Soviet life have unintended consequences.
DENG XIAOPING & MODERNIZATION
In the 1980s, Deng de-collectivizes the communes that formed the soul of the Chinese Communist revolution. His reforms look suspiciously like capitalism.
GORBACHEV & REVOLUTION
Gorbachev’s efforts to reform socialism in the Soviet Union unleash forces that unravel the State’s control and lead to a complete transformation of the Communist world.
TONY BLAIR & NEW LABOUR
Blair transforms Attlee’s socialist Labour Party into “the party of business.”
THE FUTURE OF SOCIALISM
Socialists and capitalists debate the impact of the collapse of communism and the political reversals of Social Democratic parties across Europe. Some ask whether the very definition of socialism is changing.
THE KIBBUTZ PART III
Residents of Kibbutz Ginosar observe how market forces are transforming their community.
For more information or to purchase the DVD or companion book, visit: http://www.pbs.org/heavenonearth/
Duration : 0:5:19
[youtube 5VbHAUf6Lgw]
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
also universal …
also universal healthcare was a new democrat concept the thing is the liberals made up and technicley represent neutural voters and because of this they swayd towards a good idea
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
socialism dident …
socialism dident spread the idea spread the prairy provences are verys right wing its the coastlines and urban centers outside of the prairys that are “socialist” and the idea is universal canada just has control over the minority or rightwingers in the real world and before 2006 the conservativs bareley made up 1/3 of the vote and they are the only right wing party there are as many as 5 other partys all liberal to liberal socialist
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Typical diaspora …
Typical diaspora talk, thinking you know everything on the basis of little summer vacation every year.
Writing in English all the time, but when you lose your temper you swear in Croatian
))
You definetly fit the stereotypical shoe, like Cinderella
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Nemoj me zajebavati …
Nemoj me zajebavati molim te.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
My Grandmother …
My Grandmother lived in Zadar and died needlessly because of the horrible health care conditions.
Jobs abundant? My entire family fled Croatia in the 70s and 80s because the only job available was working in a brick factory or on a salt mine.
I have a house in Croatia and go back every summer. The government is corrupt, there is still a heavy communist mentality, and a lot of central planning. Not to mention that half the labor force gets paid a military pension, and doesn’t work.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
As far as Serbian …
As far as Serbian control, you are mostly right. However that control was more present in military matters, in the early 90’s we saw why they needed it.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
You live in US I …
You live in US I live in Croatia, I know a bit more cos I see it day by day with my eyes. As we speak the my health care which used to be free is getting more expensive, my scholarship is free no more and when I get my collage diploma (in couple of months) I’ll be on the unemployment list. Today in Croatia you have to have a connection or offer bribe to mop the streets, that sucks but that’s the ways it is.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
You miss read what …
You miss read what I wrote. I never said Yugoslavia was perfect, I just said that the small elite was running the show a that little guy could only hope for the best. What you’re describing happened in YU in late 40’s and 50’s, while 70’s and 80’s were something completly different. Health care WAS FREE, education WAS FREE, jobs WERE abundant!
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
The health care was …
The health care was horrible by the way, and the school systems were entirely controlled by the Serbs, as were all prominent positions.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
So don’t give me …
So don’t give me that ‘you Americans don’t know shit’ nonsense. My family members on my mother’s side shot at my family members on my father’s side.
America’s economy is essentially centrally planned. Open a book, and stop putting yourself on a pedestal.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Yes, go ask the …
Yes, go ask the people of Eastern Europe what they thought of socialism, and why they fled to America by the millions. My Yugoslavian family members traveled for miles, up and down mountains, searching for water. I had family members who ate meat twice a year. There’s a reason why you speak English my friend, and it’s not because socialism lead to utopia. Yugoslavian idiots still love Tito, but he collapsed the currency and indebted all Balkan nations. My uncle lost his life savings over night.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
We’re sorry Canada.
We’re sorry Canada.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
So where do we go …
So where do we go from here? I think this upcoming election is America’s last hope.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Socialism denies …
Socialism denies God to let the people worship and serve people like Castro, Chavez, Zapatero (false god)
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
“Profit is the …
“Profit is the signal which tells us what we must do in order to serve people whom we do not know.” Hayek
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Greed comes from …
Greed comes from the need of being as far as way from scarcity as possible, increasing the life expectancy. Nothing more. Greed does not corrupt to the levels violence does. And guess what government is, a monopoly on violence. Socialism hallmarks are wealth transfers, and in abhorent cases, the removal of money without understanding what money is fundamentally. Fiat is not money. Money preserves wealth. Ressources are wealth.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
You don’t know …
You don’t know about your own system and claim state socialism is better than state capitalism. There would not be any unemployment to the levels they’re at under capitalism. There would be every incentive for individuals to care for themselves and their family, as if they do not, expenses ensue. As for badlucks, that’s what private insurances are for. Despite the fact the state is deliberately attempting to destroy private insurance, it used to take care of low risk high cost problems
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Hehe.. this is …
Hehe.. this is great because this is actually my families history.
In our case (and this is BOTH sides) the families immigrated and found themselves either setting up shop on the US side (Michigan, Minneapolis, North Dakota etc in the case of the Scandinavians),
or,
Up to Southern Alberta, Edmonton.
Yep, a few were ‘hardcore CCF’ but later more moderate (in terms of socialism),
but,
Not enough has been said here about the Christian base and ideology in this particular movement.
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Ask the poor and …
Ask the poor and unemployed of Eastern Europe what do they think of socialism. You Americans don’t know about it, you’ve never lived under it, all you heard is the lack of democracy. Well, let me tell you we had the same small elite of executives running the show. We called them Party members you call them Wall Street managers. They run the show and you keep your head down and hope for the best.
BUT… we had free, education, health care, housing and secured jobs
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Socialism is the …
Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.
The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of miseries. Winston Churchill
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
I’m a Socialist
I’m a Socialist
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
OH NOES NOT FREE …
OH NOES NOT FREE MEDICINE
November 25th, 2009 at 7:03 pm
Good video! How …
Good video! How quickly we forget the New Deal of FDR is a socialist program. Socialism has existed in the US in one form or other by integrating fascism and capitalism. It is like a hybrid. It is a New World Order! Ordo Ab Chao!