environment – Working Class History

October 30, 2020July 7, 2025 Working Class History Podcast

E47-48: Green bans

Double podcast episode about green bans by building workers in Australia from 1970 to 1975 which held up billions of dollars of development which would have been harmful to the environment, or working class and Aboriginal communities.

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9 September 1739: Stono rebellion - On This Day in Working Class History

On this day, 9 September 1739, the Stono rebellion began in South Carolina, the largest uprising of enslaved people in the mainland British colonies. A literate enslaved man named Jemmy (or Cato) marched with 22 others, mostly from central Africa, brandishing a banner bedecked with the word "Liberty!" and attacked a store seizing weapons and ammunition. They planned to head to Florida, where Spanish colonial authorities offered escaped enslaved people freedom in an effort to undermine British rule. On their way they burned plantations, freed other enslaved people and killed whites, until a well armed mounted militia arrived and attacked. While the rebels managed to kill 23 militiamen, they lost 47 of their number who had their severed heads displayed on stakes to serve as a warning to others. Many of those who escaped were later captured and executed or sold to enslavers in the Caribbean. In response to the rebellion, authorities enacted strict laws to try to prevent a recurrence: banning the enslaved from assembling in groups learning to read, but also prohibiting importation of enslaved people from Africa for 10 years, and bringing in penalties for enslavers who overworked or were excessively brutal to those they had enslaved.More information, sources and map: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/article/10949/stono-revoltLearn more about global Black rebellion: https://shop.workingclasshistory.com/en-gb/collections/books/products/a-history-of-pan-african-revolt-c-l-r-jamesOur work is only possible because of support from you, our listeners on patreon. If you appreciate our work, please join us and access exclusive content and benefits at patreon.com/workingclasshistory.See all of our anniversaries each day, alongside sources and maps on the On This Day section of our Stories app: stories.workingclasshistory.com/date/todayBrowse all Stories by Date here on the Date index: https://stories.workingclasshistory.com/dateCheck out our Map of historical Stories: https://map.workingclasshistory.comCheck out books, posters, clothing and more in our online store, here: https://shop.workingclasshistory.comIf you enjoy this podcast, make sure to check out our flagship longform podcast, Working Class History