At the Hague congress of the First
International Bakunin was finally expelled, provoking the wrath of the
anarchists and like-minded people, some of which walked out of the
organisation, like the Blanquists. At the same time, the opportunists
such as the English trade union leaders lined up with the ultra-left in
demanding greater autonomy for the local sections, all of course
complaining about the authoritarianism of Marx and the General Council.
Seventy years on, World War II is remembered. What is forgotten was the largest mutiny amongst the British armed forces that heralded its end.
Seventy years on, World War II is remembered. What is forgotten was the largest mutiny amongst the British armed forces that heralded its end.
Ninety years ago, on the morning of 13th March 1920, a brigade of
soldiers marched into Berlin and declared the German government of the
Social Democrats to be overthrown. Not a shot was fired by any side and
the response of the leaders of the government was simply to flee. The
very forces which the Social Democrats had place so much trust in had
turned against them. The Kapp Putsch, as it has become known as, was
challenged instead by the workers.
Ninety years ago, on the morning of 13th March 1920, a brigade of
soldiers marched into Berlin and declared the German government of the
Social Democrats to be overthrown. Not a shot was fired by any side and
the response of the leaders of the government was simply to flee. The
very forces which the Social Democrats had place so much trust in had
turned against them. The Kapp Putsch, as it has become known as, was
challenged instead by the workers.
Last week, on March 11, Greece was
shaken by an even bigger general strike than on February 24. As the
government announced its third austerity package the mood of Greek
workers has become one of growing anger and militancy. All the
conditions are there for a massive escalation of the conflict.
Last week, on March 11, Greece was
shaken by an even bigger general strike than on February 24. As the
government announced its third austerity package the mood of Greek
workers has become one of growing anger and militancy. All the
conditions are there for a massive escalation of the conflict.
The recent period has seen some serious attacks on workers living
standards in industry; but its also seen a militant response in some
sectors. The workers at Severfield-Reeve Structures Ltd. in Dalton have managed to win trade union
recognition and the employers are developing the plant, this puts a
different slant on the matter. The fact that the workers have rejected
the pay cuts and are now looking at strike action is a sign that things
are beginning to change.
The recent period has seen some serious attacks on workers living
standards in industry; but its also seen a militant response in some
sectors. The workers at Severfield-Reeve Structures Ltd. in Dalton have managed to win trade union
recognition and the employers are developing the plant, this puts a
different slant on the matter. The fact that the workers have rejected
the pay cuts and are now looking at strike action is a sign that things
are beginning to change.
The suicide of three Russian asylum seekers has aroused the indignation
of the local community in Springburn. A mother, father and stepson
jumped from the fifteenth floor of a tower bloc in the Red Road flats
in Springburn, Glasgow. This followed the rejection of their asylum
application, with the family having been instructed to leave the flats
in Springburn following this.
The suicide of three Russian asylum seekers has aroused the indignation
of the local community in Springburn. A mother, father and stepson
jumped from the fifteenth floor of a tower bloc in the Red Road flats
in Springburn, Glasgow. This followed the rejection of their asylum
application, with the family having been instructed to leave the flats
in Springburn following this.
To mark the hundreth anniversary of International Women’s Day this week, we are publishing an article which forms the centre pages of this month’s edition of Socialist Appeal. The author is a contributor to a recent book on women’s rights and class struggle published by the Danish Marxists around ‘Socialistick Standpunk’.