No Gods, No Masters: A History of Anarchism

Season 12017

The story of Anarchism. By going back over the key events of the last two centuries of social history, the series reveals the origins and destiny of a political trend that has been fighting all gods and all masters for over 150 years.

Overview Episodes Download

4 Episodes

E01 Part 1: The Passion for Destruction (1840–1906)

This episode of NO GODS NO MASTERS shows how anarchism emerged from the horrendous social conditions facing workers at a time when industrialization was, paradoxically, providing better hygiene and social standards – for some. In an era in which the life expectancy of workers was 30 years—most of those spent in misery—it is no surprise that new approaches would arise. Tracing the history of early anarchist thought from Pierre-Joseph Proudhon, who declared that property is theft, to Mikhail Bakunin, who advocated violent revolution to destroy the state completely, THE PASSION FOR DESTRUCTION provides a look at both the theoretical and practical origins of the movement. It follows the expansion of the anarchist movement from Europe to America, where it grew, fueled by disillusioned immigrants. The film also offers an in-depth look at the Haymarket Affair, which would deeply influence anarchist activists such as Emma Goldman.

April 11, 2017

E02 Part 2: Land and Freedom (1907–1921)

LAND AND FREEDOM looks at differing strains within the anarchist movement during the peak of its popularity – when it seemed, for a time, that the dream of anarchist revolution might come to pass. This was an era of social ferment and experimentation, including communal living, nudism and gender equality; educational reform designed to usher in the development of “the new man”; the resurgence of propaganda of the deed in the guise of violent robberies and shootouts with police; and the participation of anarchists in revolutions from Mexico to Russia. While it seemed that the dream of an anarchist revolution was within grasp, World War I would put an end to popular revolt, as young men went to the front. A movement that had once seemed poised to take over the world was now severely weakened.

April 11, 2017

E03 Episode 3

May 22, 2023

E04 Episode 4

May 23, 2023

No Gods, No Masters: A History of Anarchism

E01 Part 1: The Passion for Destruction (1840–1906)

E02 Part 2: Land and Freedom (1907–1921)

E03 Episode 3

E04 Episode 4

Scenes from a Marriage

In the Name of Law and Order

Person of Interest

The Boys

Breaking Bad

Lost

Game of Thrones

Sherlock

X-Men

Stranger Things

Chernobyl

Black Mirror

Peaky Blinders

Love, Death & Robots

Mr. Robot

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

The Sandman

NCIS

Fallout

The Mandalorian

E01 Part 1: The Passion for Destruction (1840–1906)

E02 Part 2: Land and Freedom (1907–1921)

E03 Episode 3

E04 Episode 4