In defence of the Russian Revolution
One hundred years ago the Russian Revolution shook the capitalist world order to its foundations. We launch here our official 1917 centenary campaign, commemorating the historic events of the Russian Revolution.
History
Marxists must study the history of the class struggle, so that we can apply the lessons in the struggle for communism today. Here, you can find our most recent historical articles. For theoretical articles, click here.
You can also visit our education hub to find a selection of articles, books, talks and reading guides.
Answering fake news about the Russian Revolution
Rob Sewell replies to the slanders and distortions presented in the Evening Standard by liberal historian Victor Sebestyen about Lenin, the Bolsheviks and the Russian Revolution in relation to the exhibition Russian Art 1917-1932 at the Royal Academy.
In Defence of the Russian Revolution – part two
In the second of a series of videos celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1917 Russian Revolution, Alan Woods – editor of In Defence of Marxism, www.marxist.com – examines the lies and slanders used to attack the Revolution, the Bolsheviks, and the ideas of Lenin and Trotsky.
In Defence of the Russian Revolution – part one
In the beginning of a series of videos celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1917 Russian Revolution, Alan Woods – editor of In Defence of Marxism, www.marxist.com – examines the lies and slanders used to attack the Revolution, the Bolsheviks, and the ideas of Lenin and Trotsky.
What the Russian Revolution achieved and why it degenerated
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the October Revolution. The apologists of capitalism try to comfort themselves with the thought that the collapse of the USSR signified the demise of socialism. But what failed in Russia was not socialism but a caricature of socialism. Alan Woods replies to the lies and slanders thrown against the Russian Revolution.
In Defence of the Russian Revolution
In the beginning of a series of videos celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 1917 Russian Revolution, Alan Woods – editor of In Defence of Marxism, www.marxist.com – examines the lies and slanders used to attack the Revolution, the Bolsheviks, and the ideas of Lenin and Trotsky.
The housing question in Britain: a history of struggle
Andy Southwark takes a look at the history of housing in Britain and the mass struggles that have risen up time and time again in the fight for the basic right to a decent, affordable home. Today, the question of housing is a key issue, with the glaring contradiction of homelessness alongside empty mansions plain for all to see.
The Grunwick struggle – 40 years on: “We are the lions”
For over a year, from 1976-77, workers at the Grunwick photo-processing plant in north-west London became a focal point in the fight for workers’ rights. Steve Jones looks at the lessons from this inspiring and militant struggle of predominantly black and Asian workers.
Fidel Castro has died – the Cuban revolution must live!
On Friday 25th November, Fidel Castro died at the age of 90. His whole life was closely linked to the Cuban revolution. An appraisal of his role is therefore an appraisal of the Cuban revolution, which for over five decades resisted the onslaught of US imperialism. Jorge Martin looks at the life and legacy of Fidel Castro.
The Russian Revolution: the meaning of October
Today is the 99th anniversary of the Russian Revolution, an event which altered the entire course of human history. For the first time, the working people took power into their own hands and began the task of the socialist re-construction of society. We republish here an article written in 1992 by Alan Woods, which gives an excellent overview of the revolution and highlights its main lessons.
1956 Suez Crisis: the death of an empire
The British establishment normally grabs every chance to mark the anniversary of any military event. One such anniversary, however, will pass largely unnoticed this year: the invasion of Suez; the so-called “forgotten war” that would become a symbol of the death of the British Empire and the end of “Great” Britain as a major world power.
The Hungarian Revolution: 60 years on
60 years ago, on 23rd October 1956, political revolution against Stalinist dictatorship lept from the pages of Leon Trotsky’s writings and roared into life in Hungary. Contrary to Stalinist slanders at the time, this was never a movement for the restoration of capitalism, but an attempt by Hungarian workers to establish a healthy socialist society.