The Red Army Faction, A Documentary History: Volume 2: Dancing with Imperialism (2)

by J. Smith, André Moncourt

The long-awaited second volume of the first-ever English-language study of the Red Army Faction (RAF)—West Germany’s most notorious urban guerillas—covers the period immediately following the organization’s near total decimation in 1977. During this period, the RAF was in a state of regrouping and attempting to renew its ties to the radical left in response to the emergence of a new radical youth movement in the Federal Republic, the Autonomen. This reorganization was evidenced by the shifting of focus from freeing prisoners to fighting NATO. By examining communiqués and texts from 1978 up until the 1982 May Paper, the broader movement is examined and the possibilities and perils of an armed underground organization are contrasted to the more fluid and flexible practice of the revolutionary cells at that time. The history of the 2nd of June Movement (2JM), an eclectic guerilla group with its roots in West Berlin, is also evaluated, especially in light of the split that led to some 2JM members officially disbanding the organization and rallying to the RAF. Finally, the RAF’s relationship to the East German Stasi is examined, as is the abortive attempt by West Germany’s liberal intelligentsia to defuse the armed struggle during Gerhard Baum’s tenure as Minister of the Interior. Dancing with Imperialism will be required reading for students of the first world guerilla, those with interest in the history of European protest movements, and all who wish to understand the challenges of revolutionary struggle.

Genres: History, Politics, Germany, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

J.^^^Smith

Reviews

[Spicy T AKA Mr. Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok OK! Smith and Moncourt are wonderful WONDERFUL historians! What an AMAZING vol. 2. I liked vol. 1 the best so far, but this was a really interesting look at other social forces operating at the same time as the RAF. There is so much to understand about that time, the FRG, the RAF, and all the other groups fighting against the state, imperialism, and capitalism.

The chapters aren't long and the writing is superb. The documentation that follows each chapter is helpful in fleshing out the different strains of activism and resistance occurring in the FRG.

This might be my least favorite vol. as there was a lot to bite off, chew on, and think about. It felt a little distracted as the editors jumped from one social/political scene to another.

But again, the writing. SO good. Such a page turner. I really enjoyed it and can't wait for the final volume. Check out vol. 1 if you can and then pick this guy up. So so so good.