Trial of a New Society

Trial of a New Society, written by Justus Ebert in 1912, provides a detailed journalistic account of the Bread and Roses strike in Lawrence, Massachusetts, where textile workers, primarily immigrants, protested against poor working conditions and wage cuts. The strike, supported by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), led to a tense standoff with the city declaring martial law. The trial of strike leaders Joseph Ettor and Arturo Giovanitti, accused of inciting violence after a woman's death, is a central focus, ultimately resulting in their acquittal. The book includes reproductions of contemporary materials and extensive footnotes for context.