New International no. 9: The Rise and Fall of the Nicaraguan Revolution

by Jack Barnes

An upgraded edition. Lessons for revolutionists everywhere from the workers and farmers government that came to power in Nicaragua in July 1979. Based on ten years of socialist journalism from inside Nicaragua, this issue of New International magazine recounts the achievements and worldwide impact of the Nicaraguan revolution. It traces the political retreat of the Sandinista National Liberation Front leadership that led to the downfall of the revolution in the closing years of the 1980s. Documents of the Socialist Workers Party. Introduction by Steve Clark, photos, notes. Now with index and enlarged type. Also available Spanish

404 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

Reviews

[Marc Lichtman]

There was very little written on why the Sandinista Revolution, starting with socialist goals gave them up after winning the Contra War. To some people it was a topic "not to be discussed in polite company." But every serious activist needs to know what happened and why.

The 'Militant' newspaper kept a bureau in Managua from a few weeks after the revolution and for the next ten years. This is based on their reporting as well as visits by Socialist Workers Party leaders. Earlier, in 1983, the Grenadian Revolution had gone down to defeat, overthrown by a Stalinist faction headed by Bernard Coard. The story of that is told in New International no 6: The Second Assassination of Maurice Bishop and in Maurice Bishop Speaks: The Grenada Revolution and Its Overthrow, 1979-83.

Let me also recommend a biography of Carlos Fonseca, founder of the FSLN by Matilde Zimmermann Sandinista: Carlos Fonseca and the Nicaraguan Revolution, who was a reporter for the 'Militant' newspaper in Managua for some years.

For the Nicaraguan Revolution while it was still alive, Sandinistas Speak: Speeches, Writings, and Interviews with Leaders of Nicaragua's Revolution and Nicaragua: The Sandinista People´s Revolution.

[Nate]

very dry, but it does include the FSLN's historic program. other than that, its just the SWP opinion of what happened in Nicaragua, not a history of the revolution