During the last centuries, revolutions defying the oppression of the most powerful sectors have been taking place in regions such as Latin America, France, Russia and Spain. These movements, the class struggle and its historical repercussions must be understood. Seeking to do so, the ‘Marxist Student Federation’ will hold an event on 15th February in London.
Juanjo Andrés Cuervo
“Proletarians of all countries, unite!” was one of the slogans included in the Manifesto of the Communist Party drawn up in 1848 by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels.
It was a time where revolutions were happening throughout Europe, a period that began with the French Revolution at the end of the 18th century and that reached its zenith in the Gallic country.
In this way, the revolutions of 1830 and 1848 in Paris had the end of a monarchical regime that oppressed workers as a common denominator.
With the ideal of liberation from tyranny, revolts took place globally. For example, Denmark fought against the Prussian empire, in Ireland they fought against English oppression, while in Latin America the colonies began fighting to achieve independence from Spanish rule.
Part of these movements were inspired by the ideals of Karl Marx, who lived in different European countries, such as the Kingdom of Prussia, Belgium and France.
In these places attempts were made to silence him due to his articles in favour of the proletariat and against the capitalist system.
Finally, in 1849 he settled in London, where he stayed until the end of his days. Living first in Soho and then in Kentish Town, he was close to his close friend Friedrich Engels, who was located in Primrose Hill.
From North London, Marxist theory evolved from these two philosophers who, to paraphrase Marx, wanted to “change the world, not understand it.”
A decade of world revolutions
Since the economic crisis that began in 2007, the inequalities between rich and poor have been accentuated over the years.
This global situation, together with the constant interference in foreign nations by countries such as the United States, has served to awaken the social consciousness of part of the population.
Because of this, a high number of protests and movements has arisen fervently during the last decade.
As a matter of fact, the Occupy Wall Street movement took place in the US, in Spain 15-M emerged, which was the departure point of Unidas Podemos (“united we can”), a party that currently governs in coalition with the PSOE.
Both occurred in 2011, and the Arab Spring began a year earlier, which had its starting point in Tunisia and spread through the countries of the region.
Recently, there have been more movements, such as protests in Catalonia against the sentencing of political prisoners for the issue of independence, the strike of the Gilet Jaunes (yellow vests) in France, the Sardine Movement in Italy and the Extinction Rebellion demonstrations carried out in the UK and other regions of the world.
On the other hand, in Latin America there have been demonstrations in Chile, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador against the repressive measures of their governments.
“World in revolt – MSF Conference 2020”
All these manifestations have a common denominator, and that is to end social inequality and establish political balance.
For all these reasons, the Marxist Student Federation organisation has organised an event to talk about the political, economic and social reality that is being experienced globally.
Named ‘World in revolt – MSF Conference 2020’, the event will feature several speakers including the editor of In Defense of Marxism, Fred Weston, the national organiser of the Marxist Student Federation, Fiona Lali, and members of the UK Student Climate Network.
It is about informing people about the anti-capitalist legacy that Karl Marx, creator of the theory of historical materialism, implemented and that was adopted during the Russian Revolution of 1917. It is also so that the people can continue the struggle of the proletariat.
Date and time: 15th February at 10 am. Address: Brunei Gallery, SOAS, WC1H 0XG, London; Contact: gallery@soas.ac.uk, 020 7898 4046; For more information click here.
(Translated by Hannah Phelvin – Email: hphelvin@gmail.com)
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