# XIII: The General Strike explained — The Iron Heel

> Chapter companion for The Iron Heel by Jack London.

## What happens

In the fall of 1912, a socialist landslide elects Ernest Everhard to Congress, fueled by the destruction of Hearst and the Democratic Party. The Plutocracy expropriates farmers through a farm trust, turning them into serfs. Hard times and a clash with Germany lead to war preparations. The socialists, led by Ernest, organize a general strike that forces an end to the war and creates an alliance between the German Emperor and the American Oligarchy. The Oligarchy later betrays Germany, destroying its rival in the world-market. The chapter details the underestimation of the enemy's strength and the political maneuvers that follow.

## Themes in this chapter

### Class Struggle and the Rise of Oligarchy

The chapter details the Plutocracy's control over farmers, the destruction of Hearst, and the Oligarchy's manipulation of war and politics to maintain power.

### Ideology, Propaganda, and the Control of Thought

The Plutocracy uses secret agents to whip up religious sentiment and create the Grange Party to divide socialist strength, illustrating control of public opinion.

### Revolution and Personal Sacrifice

The general strike is a revolutionary act of sacrifice by the working class, and the socialists risk everything to oppose war and the Oligarchy.

### Corruption of Institutions (Church, State, Labor)

The courts are in the hands of the Oligarchy, the churches are whipped into line against socialism, and labor unions are defeated, showing institutional corruption.

## Character check-ins

### Ernest Everhard

Elected to Congress in the socialist landslide; leads the secret meeting of Western leaders in Pell Street; comments on the Oligarchy's treachery and justification.

### Avis Everhard

Narrator of the chapter; recounts the events of the general strike, the socialist landslide, and the Oligarchy's actions.

### Mr. Calvin

A politician who captures the farmers' political strength for the Grange Party, leading them to a vain campaign.

### Philip Wickson

Mentioned indirectly as part of the Oligarchy; the chapter discusses the Oligarchy's actions and treachery.

## Key lines

> Of a truth the nation had died. There were no wagons rumbling on the streets, no factory whistles, no hum of electricity in the air, no passing of street cars, no cries of newsboys⁠—nothing but persons who at rare intervals went by like furtive ghosts, themselves oppressed and made unreal by the silence.

The nation seemed dead during the strike, with no sounds of industry or daily life, only occasional people moving like ghosts in the oppressive silence.

_Describes the eerie stillness of the general strike._

> The war was declared off, and the populations of both countries returned to their tasks. It was this renewal of peace that brought about the alliance between Germany and the United States.

The war ended, and people went back to work, leading to an alliance between Germany and the United States.

_Highlights the outcome of the general strike._

> The Oligarchy wanted the war with Germany. And it wanted the war for a dozen reasons.

The Oligarchy had many reasons for desiring war with Germany.

_Explains the Oligarchy's motivation for war._

> Thus it was that in the fall of 1912 the socialist leaders, with the exception of Ernest, decided that the end of capitalism had come.

In fall 1912, most socialist leaders believed capitalism was ending, but Ernest disagreed.

_Shows the split in socialist leadership._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters/xiii-the-general-strike
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_iron_heel_se/chapters