Hoosier Radical: Theodore Leusse Takes On the Great Depression

In this episode of Talking Hoosier History, we’ll meet radical organizer Theodore Luesse, who agitated for relief measures during the Great Depressions. His actions culminated in a sentence at the notorious State Penal Farm in Putnamville, where he ran for governor on the Communist ticket. Luesse’s sentence increased Hoosiers’ interest in communist ideals and ignited a series of social protests, ultimately modernizing Indiana government and cultivating a new generation of organizers, who demanded more from their government.

Written by Nicole Poletika. Performed by Justin Clark. Produced by Jill Weiss Simins.

A transcript of this episode is available at the THH website: https://podcast.history.in.gov/.

Notes and sources: https://blog.history.in.gov/the-agita...

“Justice and the Square Deal:" The Political Alliance of Mother Jones and John W. Kern

In this episode of Talking Hoosier History, we’ll learn about labor organizer Mary "Mother" Jones's political partnership with John W. Kern, the U.S. Senator from Indiana, and how their alliance represented a real shift in attitudes regarding organized labor during the Progressive Era.

Written and Performed by Justin Clark. Produced by Jill Weiss Simins.

A transcript of this episode is available at the THH website: https://podcast.history.in.gov/.

Notes and sources: https://blog.history.in.gov/the-guard...

Images courtesy Library of Congress.