The 20th century was the stage for an epic battle: the poor against the rich. Don’t expect heroes, just people tired of being exploited.
Workers vs Everyonei
Let’s be honest, the 20th century didn’t start well for factory workers. If you think today’s working conditions are tough, well, back in 1900 workers had exactly one right: complain, but quietly. Working 12 hours a day for a wage that wouldn’t even cover your phone bill today was the norm. And then, there were the bosses: those delightful magnates earning more than you’ll see in 10 lifetimes, who were shocked when the workers dared to revolt.
Enter “class struggle,” a fancy way of saying, “we’re tired of starving while you swim in money.” And so began strikes, revolutions, and the occasional brawl. It wasn’t exactly a golden age for labor relations. On one side, you had workers asking for a bit of social justice; on the other, the rich saying, “What? You want a day off? Ridiculous!”
Unions started making noise, and even though they seemed like a bunch of crazies with megaphones at first, they slowly began to be heard. Things didn’t always go their way, but when your opponent has more money than you can dream of, you need a strategy—and maybe a bat.
Revolutions, Strikes, and Chaos
The spark ignites at the beginning of the century, with a series of revolts and strikes that look like a political chess match, except here the pawns are trying to take down the queen. Here are some key moments in this never-ending saga:
The Russian Revolution
The Russian Revolution lights the fuse. The workers say enough is enough, the czar is baffled, and the rich? Well, they still don’t get it.
Lenin
More Russia, and this time the workers win. Lenin enters the scene, and suddenly communism seems like the answer to all problems. Spoiler: it isn’t.
The Great Depression
The Great Depression. The financial bubble bursts, and the rich finally feel the pain. Too bad it’s mostly the poor who suffer the consequences.
Spanish Civil War
In Spain, the Civil War becomes another chapter of this drama. On one side, the fascists, and on the other, those dreaming of a fairer world. Spoiler: the fascists win.
1968
A wave of protests shakes the world. Young people and workers say no to injustice and start dreaming of a better future. Did they get it? Well, it depends on who’s telling the story.
This is the kind of chaos that ruled much of the 20th century. And even though some battles were won, the war between rich and poor never really ended. Now, it’s fought with clicks on the internet rather than pitchforks.
The fight continues... on different fronts
If you were expecting a happy ending, sorry to disappoint. The 20th century taught us that class struggle isn’t a movie with an epic conclusion. There’s no winner, just a continuous back-and-forth between those wanting to live with dignity and those wanting to keep them under control. And while we have more rights today than a century ago, it’s safe to say the game is far from over. The rich are still here, richer than ever, while the poor... well, they do what they can.
But here’s the good news: no matter how many times they fall, the poor always get back up. With new ideas, new fights, and the hope that maybe, one day, things will really change.
Perché te lo consiglio
Te lo consiglio perché ti farà riflettere sui difetti umani: l'avidità, l'egoismo e l’incapacità di imparare dai propri errori. Un tema vecchio come il mondo, ma sempre attuale.
Perché non te lo consiglio
Non te lo consiglio perché se cerchi una storia con un lieto fine, qui troverai solo disillusioni. Gli esseri umani non cambiano mai davvero.
Why I recommend IT
I recommend it because it makes you reflect on human flaws: greed, selfishness, and the inability to learn from past mistakes. An age-old theme, but still relevant.
Why I Don't Recommend IT
I don’t recommend it because if you’re looking for a story with a happy ending, all you’ll find here are disillusionments. Human beings never really change."
