Ep 4. The 1871 Paris Commune as a Model of Revolt

The 1871 Paris Commune was a short-lived radical socialist government that took control of Paris after the Franco-Prussian War. This episode delves into the significance of the Commune as a model of revolt. It started with the working class' grievances that the government ignored, thereby fueling the revolution against the government. The working class, along with other Parisian citizens, came together to form Paris Commune, which led to a radical shift in governance.

Throughout the episode, viewers learn about the key players that drove the movement, including Louise Michel and Eugène Varlin, who helped to organize the National Guard and the working class. Varlin was a member of the International Workingmen's Association, helping to leverage their influence to gain support.

As the Commune took hold, it implemented a radical program, including the abolition of the army and the police. It also instituted direct democracy via universal suffrage and equal rights to both sexes. This episode discusses the Commune's significance in creating a model for future revolutionary movements seeking to establish socialism.

The episode delves further into how Marx analyzed and supported the Commune. It explains how Marx viewed the Commune as a model for socialist revolutions to come, a point of departure for the revolution. Marx's work remained important to the early Communist leaders in Russia and helped to shape socialist thought around the world, especially in the Soviet Union.

This episode also covers the brutal repression by the French government that eventually disintegrated the Paris Commune. The government relied on the military to aggressively retake the city, and thousands were killed in the span of one week. The episode explores the brutal end of the Commune and the aftermath, including how the various members were arrested, executed, or fled.

Overall, this episode explores the complex nature of social revolution, including how the establishment responds with force when workers and the underrepresented seek a democratic voice. The Paris Commune remains one of the more fascinating models of revolt and its impact can be seen in the actions of socialist leaders and movements worldwide.