The First International is the realization of the idea of a socialist system. Long before the events of October 1917, this project appeared in the world. There are two main ideologists: Bakunin and Marx. Between them there was a serious struggle for minds, for ideological leadership. Mass accusations of spying against Russia, slander and other tricks trampled on Bakunin.
Marx's supporters won. It was Marxist ideas that served as the ideology of our Bolshevik revolutionaries. Does the First International have anything to do with the events of 1917 in Russia? What was it, a conspiracy or a turbulent course of history? Let's try to figure it out.
First International: year of creation
On September 28, 1864, the International Workers' Association was founded in London. Organizers - K. Marx and F. Engels with their supporters. This partnership is the firstInternational.
Educational background
The end of the 19th century is not an accidental time for the creation of such workers' organizations. Many events have happened in the world that contributed to this:
- Bourgeois revolution in 1789 in France.
- Major development of modern industry in Europe with the growth of factories, plants and therefore the number of workers.
- A fundamental change in transport. 1807 - the invention of the steamboat, which by the end of the 19th century completely replaced the sailing fleet. Russia and Turkey are the last countries in Europe where they could still be observed. The rail network grew rapidly.
All these events gave rise to the number of workers who began to think about their political and economic rights. However, everyone understood that a strong union of workers was needed. A fist that can withstand the onslaught of we althy capitalists with administrative resources. It was on this fertile ground that the ideological "pastors" of such ideas, K. Marx and F. Engels, began their activities.
It was they who tried to direct the economic demands of the workers in the "right" political direction.
However, it is a mistake to think that there were two ideologues. Supporters of these ideas were among the highest financial circles in Europe. One of them is George Auger, secretary of the London Council of Trades Unions. He pushed for the idea of workers' representation in parliament.
Push to the International
Creation of the First Internationalassociated with the first economic crisis of the capitalist system in 1857-1859. Against the backdrop of simultaneous problems in all developed industrial countries, an understanding of global unification among workers has come. It was from this period that the proletarian alliances of England and France came to the conclusion about a single international organization. An event in Russia added fuel to the fire. In 1863, Alexander II cracked down on the revolution in Poland. The rebels demanded independence.
Marxists organized widespread meetings of workers. They described the allegedly inhuman methods of the "Russian punishers" who cut down the political freedom of the "peace-loving Poles" at the root. There was no talk of any economic demands in Poland. This corner of the empire was the most developed in this regard. The central government did not interfere in domestic Polish legislation.
The method of manipulating public consciousness was used by the ideologists of the International. They directed the working masses to political demands, which had not happened before. Slogans of war with Russia were shouted out to mass approval. The proletarian began to understand his strength. Or rather, he was helped to do it.
Russian "atrocities" are a symbol of the unification of European workers
December 5, 1863, British workers turn to French workers with a proposal of joint demands on governments. The goals are the war with Russia for the independence of Poland.
A year later, in 1864, a joint meeting was already held in London, in the hall of St. Martin. Thus, the situation in Russia became a decisive factor for unification. K. Marx himself, who had never before appeared at such events, was present at this rally. He felt a change in the consciousness of the working class, who realized what constituted a powerful driving force in history.
First Congress: organizing planned strikes
In 1866 in Geneva, the activities of the First International are connected with the organization of the first congress.
It adopted the charter drawn up by Marx, elected the General Council, listened to the reports of the workers. After the congress, the new Soviet began to direct the workers' strikes. Now these were no longer chaotic scattered performances, but well-planned actions. While the police disperse some demonstrators, others begin to strike on the other side of the city.
Second Congress: building political forces
The Second Congress of the First International convenes in Lausanne in September 1867.
More serious issues appeared on the agenda: the active participation of socialist forces with the mass support of workers in the political life of the country. After him, the bourgeoisie began to show serious fears for their capital and privileged position in society.
Third Congress: call to war
At the third congress in Brussels in 1868, the ideas of a military defense of their ideas were expressed. In fact, the First International called for a classrevolution. At the congress, a resolution "on the manifestation of the greatest activity" appeared. One can observe the transformation of an idea from economic demands to a call to overthrow the regime in a fairly short period.
This could no longer be tolerated by either the authorities or the bourgeoisie. Political persecution begins. The Paris Commune, created in France, was dispersed. This de alt a severe blow to the International. Supporters across Europe began to be imprisoned, fired from their jobs, etc.
Who needs it?
As the Roman jurist Cassius said, if a crime occurs, then someone needs it. Indeed, who could need a revolution in a rapidly developing Europe. It is paradoxical that the most radical views and calls for war fall precisely at the peak of development. Never before have Europeans lived in such conditions. History repeated itself with our country. It is during the period of the greatest power of the state in the entire history of the Russian Empire that similar forces are activated in our country. However, our society could not cope with such a threat. Why was the First International not viable? Has he disappeared from the political struggle? This will be discussed further.
First International: brief on further developments
I International was not ready to unite in a single revolutionary struggle in Europe. Wise Europeans have understood that it is necessary to follow the path of liberalism, not revolution. After that, the General Council of the International moved to the USA. Its further manifestation will affect our history during the February, andthen the October Revolution. It is from the United States that the founder of the idea of world revolution, Leon Trotsky, will come, but we will assume that perhaps this is a coincidence. The First International formally existed until 1876, where a decision was made in Philadelphia to end it.
Results
It is noteworthy that the First and Second Internationals aimed at the obligatory overthrow of the political systems of a rapidly developing Europe. Bakunin, the ideologist of socialism, was just against this. He called only for the improvement of the life and work of the working class. Perhaps that is why a whole Marxist conspiracy was organized against him. According to one version, this was done in order to eliminate a competitor. It was the socialist revolution, the destruction of prosperous Europe, that was important to the leaders of the International.
Further events in history led to this. Only the role of the driving force of world chaos was not the socialist International, but the nationalist forces of Germany, which came on the ruins of the world war. It is noteworthy that it was bankers from the USA who provided sponsorship to Hitler. Perhaps this is a coincidence.
