Philip’s Reviews > First Socialist Schism: Bakunin vs. Marx in the International Working Men's Association > Status Update

The Marx & Engels point of view on the split of the International was shaped by Marxian dogmatics and the widely available and translated L'Alliance, while any other points of view were difficult to come by and rarely translated. Fortunately, post-91 Russian collapse, there has been a revival in interest in the now First International, and the side of the 'anarchists' given a fair treatment.

Marx & Engels dig themselves a deeper grave for their now on-paper-only International and themselves with the release of yet another hit piece on Bakunin with yet again nothing but intrigue and bias.

Chapter 20
Politics and Historical Narratives

Marx & Engels, so blinded by partisanship and ally/subject or enemy mentality, couldn't see - even after it happened - that they had destroyed their own International for power.

The anti-authoritarian and the General Council are both holding congresses in the same city - Geneva - just 7 days apart, but while the anarchist congress is a big success with over 7 federations from 7 countries are represented and are united in rejection of authority and pass resolution to protect from another Hague, the GC congress is a mess of few delegates and infighting.

The General Council issues resolutions suspending all federations critical of itself. This marks the death of the GC, as every one of these federations, the vast majority of the membership of the International, simply moves to corresponding directly with each other. The first order of business is agreeing to a first anti-authoritarian congress post-Hague.

In England separate congresses are held by opponents and supporters of the G.C. as the International continues its implosion across the continent.

The Spanish, Italians and Belgians now publicly side with Jura against the General Council wannabe dictatorship, however the English Federation splits as, while some don't want a GC dictatorship, they also don't agree with negative politics of Jura.

Chapter 19
The Geneva Congresses and the disastrous New York General Council

The general council starts haemorrhaging members before it has taken is seat, and as they start exercising their new powers and threatening to suspend federations, it only gets worse as many others join in solidarity with them against the GC.

The new 'Anarchist' International is what remains of the non-pro-GC non-authoritarian International Workingm. Association members. This term 'anarchist' is debated with some disliking it as they prefer federation of free associations or something mututalist or collectivist.

Bakunin is having a PR coup and Marx a PC catastrophe as federation after federation is supporting Bakunin against the authoritarianism and intrigue of Marx, with all but the most loyal Blanquist and German groups on his side.