Sep 02 2009
Subversive Historian – 09/02/09
The Hague Congress of the First International
Back in the day on September 2nd 1872, the Hague Congress of the First International convened. The gathering of delegates was the fifth such congress of the International Workingmen’s Association and undoubtedly its most contentious. Ahead of the meeting at the Hague, the clash between radical philosophers Mikhail Bakunin and Karl Marx came to signify the growing antagonisms within the organization that were set to play out. The Italians, critical of Marx and the General Council of the IWMA, did not attend as part of their announced boycott. Bakunin himself was unable to be present at the Congress and only a handful of his supporters were there in his absence. The visible split played out at the end of the week long meeting when Bakunin was expelled from his membership in the First International. The split that exemplified the Hague Congress continued to color historical antagonisms between anarchist and Marxist variants of socialism. Rival internationals set up by both sides competed in the following years.
Upon hearing about the split at the First International, German statesman Otto Von Bismark famously remarked “Crowned heads, wealth and privilege may well tremble should ever again the Black and Red unite!”
For Uprising, this is your truth professa’ saying it’s no mystery why they conceal our people’s history
2 Responses to “Subversive Historian – 09/02/09”
The future will have its day when black and red lead and/or maintain the human way. Although red will find gridlock with black due to leadership issues and ultimately power consent. But the wedge will ultimately lie on education. The mass educated will turn communal thus the merger of colors will begin.
For an illuminating dialogue on the two radical philosophies, I suggest to listeners/readers the new book, “Wobblies and Zapatistas,” put out by PM press.