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This episode of A HISTORY OF THE EUROPEAN WORKING CLASS traces the evolution of the working class from their early development in Great Britain to their increasingly central role in the politics of 19th century Europe. The expansion of the system and emergence of Belgium as a new industrial heartland also led to the growth of slums and alternative forms of working class culture. In France, the filmmakers trace the increasingly militant role of workers in the uprisings of the 19th century: The July 1830 Uprising, 1848 Revolution and the rapid rise and violent suppression of the 1871 Paris Commune. Along the way, we are introduced to the radical utopian thinkers that influenced working class politics: Étienne Cabet, Louis Auguste Blanqui, Pierre-Joseph Proudhon and Joseph Fourier.

“Stan Neumann weaves the common thread of a tragic and largely forgotten European epic. Without any condescension, he delivers a fascinating, poignant portrait of those who make our industrial society go round.” —Libération

“This is the sort of history you don’t usually find in schools.” —Oregon Arts Watch

“With historical interest, intense archive footage, a wealth of personal accounts (workers, historians, philosophers, etc.) and integrated animation sequences as informative as they are entertaining, A History of the European Working Class is poised to become a classic. It’s like a passionate political, social and economic history lesson where the facts (struggling working conditions, employer-worker relations) also leave room for emotion.” —Le Monde

“A History of the European Working Class offers an extremely welcome trip into the past we can use to face the labor struggles of the future with a determined, informed eye.” —L’Humanité

“A work of impressive rigor.” —Télérama

“Delivers a dazzling reinterpretation of three hundred years of history. This documentary series reveals just how much our contemporary societies have been molded by the history of workers.” —Lemediaplus.com

“An engaged and essential documentary series.” —L’Usine Nouvelle

“Divided into four parts, A History of the European Working Class is masterful and passionate.” —La Libre.be

“A remarkable documentary TV series... extremely well researched... smart, must-see series more than worth your time.” —FulvueDrive-in.com