GeneralStrikeof1917

The 1917 General Strike, which mobilized 50 to 70 thousand workers in Rio de Janeiro, was the trial by fire of the Brazilian labor movement in the early twentieth century. At the time, labor associations had greater organization and a significant increase in their ranks compared to the strike movements of the previous decade. A decisive factor in this was the influence of anarchist ideas that arrived in Brazil with the waves of European immigrants, starting in the late nineteenth century.

The fight against the economic recession amplified by the impacts of World War I (1914-1918) and the union around demands, such as the reduction in working hours, also strengthened the movement. The strategy used by the unions to win public opinion's support was to wave their banners against the high cost of living endured by the vast majority of the population.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white photograph of a large group of people gathered in an indoor location, possibly a hall or auditorium. At the top of the image, there is text that reads "CONTRA A CANHESTIA DA VIDA." On the left, inside a circle, a small group of people is depicted seated in chairs, possibly in a social or festive scene. The main group is arranged in several rows, with some individuals closer to the camera and others farther away, occupying the space of the hall.

In this sense, a unified agenda was created around proposals such as the end of child labor, protection of women's labor, better hygiene conditions in factories, employer accountability in cases of workplace accidents, reduction in rental prices, and a freeze on the prices of essential goods.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a large crowd of people gathered in an urban location. The image shows a variety of individuals, predominantly women and men, wearing period clothing. On the left, we see some individuals standing, while on the right there are more people standing, some wearing hats. In the background, there are buildings that appear to be public or residential structures.

Street mobilization was intense throughout the year. In July, during one of the most critical phases of the economic crisis, crowds invaded mills, bakeries, and warehouses. Rallies and marches were held at the city's main gathering points. Throughout this process, several trade categories formed their own unions, such as construction workers, carpenters, and metalworkers.

Image description: The image is a black-and-white caricature. In the foreground, there is a large straw basket containing several human figures, representing workers. On the right, a hand holds a glass with the inscription "GREVE GERAL" (GENERAL STRIKE). In the background, there is a crowd of people watching the scene. The caricature is signed by Loureiro.

Many of these union organizations put forward demands that were, until then, heterogeneous, ranging from reformist proposals to revolutionary actions. The Federação Operária do Rio de Janeiro (Forj) played a fundamental role in expanding and strengthening these activities, bringing strikers together around common proposals.