1930s
1932: The Geneva Massacre
An account of the shooting of over 100 people by the Swiss army at an anti-fascist demonstration.
In 1932, the sympathisers of the Union Nationale fascist party led by Georges Oltramare planned to assemble on 9th November at the Salle Communale of Plainpalais in Geneva to publicly accuse the Socialist leaders Nicole and Dicker. The Socialist Party called a counter-demonstration.
Victorio, José Siliceo, 1906-1934
A short biography of widely-respected anarchist militant in pre-war Spain, José Siliceo Victorio.
José Siliceo Victorio
Born 1906 - Bienvenida, Spain, died, 1934 - Oran Algeria
Homage to Catalonia - George Orwell
George Orwell's famous 1938 account of the Spanish Revolution and Civil War, from his point of view as a volunteer in the POUM militia.
Though the POUM were socialists, he wrote "as far as my purely personal preferences went I would have liked to join the Anarchists."
His vivid descriptions of classless anarchist Barcelona following the revolution and terrorised Stalinist Barcelona after the counter-revolution are a timeless reminder that a 'revolutionary state' is a contradiction in terms.
Looking back on the Spanish War - George Orwell
“In essence it was a class war” - George Orwell reflects on his experiences as a volunteer militiaman in the Spanish Revolution and Civil War. Written in 1943.
[8,000 words]
1
First of all the physical memories, the sounds, the smells and the surfaces of things.
Anarchist activity in Nazi Germany
Some notes on the activity of anarchists in Germany immediately preceding and soon after the Nazis' gained power, including accounts of attempts to assassinate Adolf Hitler.
While containing several inaccuracies, we reproduce the article here in full. A discussion about factual errors herein is below the article.
1919-1946: Gandhi and the national liberation of India
A critical examination of the 'saint' of non-violence, Mahatma Gandhi, and his role in the 'liberation' of India.
Mahatma Gandhi is often cited by pacifists as the shining example of how non-violent civil disobedience works successfully. Unfortunately, these paeans of praise leave out a close study of Gandhi’s role in the Indian struggle for ‘independence’, and just as importantly, who were his class allies in that struggle.
1920-1934: The death of the Austrian left
An account of the rapid decline of one of the world's most powerful workers' and left-wing movements in the face of fascism.
In the history of the working class some things are certain, and one of these things is the suicidally ‘moderate’ attitude of social democrats. No matter the gravity of the threat, European Centre-Left leaders have always had one gear - reverse. In 1920s and 30s Austria they developed this tendency into an art form under Social Democrat Party (SPO) chairman Otto Bauer and his executive.
1916-1932: The fight for freedom of speech on Glasgow Green
The history of the successful struggle to restore freedom of speech and assembly in one of Britain's oldest parks after it was banned in 1922.
Glasgow Green lies in the centre of the City, it is the oldest of Glasgow’s parks. Its origin lies in the Common Lands of the Burgh. Since the 1100s the area of the Green has been used for all manner of purposes from peat cutting, pasturing, slaughtering cattle, executions, walking, talking and playing.
1868-1936: Anarchism in Spain
A history of the anarchist and workers movements in Spain from its origins in the late 19th century up to the start of the Civil War.
The Spanish branch of the International Workingmen's Association (with Marx, Engels and the anarchist Mikhail Bakunin amongst the founders) was numerically the most substantial section of the International, with 50,000 members. It trod the paths of Bakuninism laid down by the Italian delegate Fanelli.
1921-1944: The crushing of the FAUD by Hitler
An account of the decline and crushing of the anarcho-syndicalist trade union the FAUD in Hitler's Germany.
Anarchists against Hitler: The Underground FAUD in the Rhineland
