Originally published on March 25, 2024 (Episode 353)
Introduction
On June 24, 1894, President of France Sadi Carnot was stabbed by an anarchist; on September 10, 1898, Empress Elisabeth of Austria was stabbed by an anarchist; on July 29, 1900, King Umberto I of Italy was shot by an anarchist; on September 6, 1901, President of the United States William McKinley was shot by an anarchist. If you have ever wondered why people in the 1900s right up to the Great War, and beyond, all seem to have had anarchists on the brain, those are four of the reasons.
These headline-grabbing assassinations were only the most visible of countless anarchist plots, bombings, and killings. As James Crossland explains, the rise of mass media and the spread of new technologies of violence made terrorism resonate globally for the first time. It was the moment when anarchists—and their enemies—learned that fear itself could be weaponized.
About the Guest
James Crossland is Professor of International History at Liverpool John Moores University and co-director of the Centre for Modern and Contemporary History. His research focuses on terrorism, propaganda, humanitarianism, and the International Red Cross. His most recent book is The Rise of the Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism (Manchester University Press, 2023).
For Further Investigation
James Crossland, The Rise of the Devils: Fear and the Origins of Modern Terrorism (Manchester University Press, 2023)
The Felix Orsini Bomb: a turning point in political violence
William McKinley: A Resource Guide (Library of Congress)
Anarchist Incidents (1886-1920): Topics in Chronicling America (Library of Congress)
💬 Listen & Discuss
Why did anarchist attacks so thoroughly capture the imagination of the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Were they more about the acts themselves—or about the fear and spectacle they created? Share your thoughts in the comments, and pass this episode along to anyone who thinks terrorism is only a modern phenomenon.
