History

Nicolae Ceausescu—death of brutal dictator was a Christmas gift

Stalinist regimes across Eastern Europe fell in 1989, but Romania was the icing on the Xmas cake says Tomáš Tengely-Evans

BBC misses the real lessons of Hitler’s seizure of power

The series ignores how bosses handed the Nazis power—and the force that could have stopped them, writes Tomáš Tengely-Evans

The real story of Peterloo

The Peterloo massacre exposed our rulers’ brutality. But a new history also shows how the workers’ movement was militant and inclusive from its birth, writes Judy Cox

The politics of the D-Day landings

As the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings sees politicians commemorate the events Tomáš Tengely-Evans looks at the horrific reality of the Second World War

How the way was cleared for capitalism in Scotland

A new book by Tom Devine offers a fresh interpretation of how capitalism was established in Scotland. He spoke to Charlie Kimber

The rising in 1820 was a challenge to the state

The Radical War in Scotland two centuries ago saw a mass strike movement, plans for armed rebellion—and then bitter government repression, writes Charlie McKinnon

Tories’ last big split denied them a majority for 30 years

02 April 2019
The Corn Laws in 1846 showed how our rulers can fall out—but still work together against us, writes Sadie Robinson

Rosa Luxemburg - a fighter for revolution

07 January 2019
One hundred years ago this week right wing paramilitaries killed the revolutionary Rosa Luxemburg—on the orders of a reformist, social democratic party.

Exhibition shines a light on the art of the ‘dark ages’

12 November 2018
The artefacts of six hundred years of Anglo-Saxon rule on display at the British Library provide a unique insight into history, writes Camilla Royle

‘Kill all the Gentlemen’—tales of rural revolts

05 May 2018
In his new history of countryside struggles in England, Martin Empson shows how ordinary people have always fought for their rights—and what’s needed for them to win

Reviews round-up: The Land We Live In, The Land We Left Behind exhibition

27 February 2018
Plus British Socialism: The Grand Tour and WOW festival

Martin Luther and peasants' rebellion

07 November 2017
500 years ago a preacher called Martin Luther sparked a movement which loosened the grip of the church on society. Dave Sewell argues this was about more than just theology

Up in arms—how workers in Russia united in action to beat a coup

29 August 2017
At the beginning of September 1917 the commander of the Russian Army, general Lavr Kornilov, tried to crush the revolution.

Four US-backed coups in Latin America—and two close shaves

20 August 2017
Bloody history shows why and how we need to keep imperialist hands off Venezuela

Manuel Noriega—the murderous stooge the US betrayed in Panama

06 June 2017
Colonel Manuel Noriega was a dictator and drug-runner. But he was also a bought and paid-for stooge of US imperialism.

Six days that entrenched imperialism

06 June 2017
Fifty years ago Israel launched the Six Day War in a bid to shore up its relationship with the US and its murderous rule over Palestine, writes Nick Clark

Who really rules Britain?

30 May 2017
We are told regularly that, unlike dictatorships, ‘the people’ govern Britain. But, says Dave Sewell, it’s the unelected rich and powerful that really have their hands on the wheel

How we fought the colonels’ coup in Greece—and what it can teach us for today

02 May 2017
Fifty years ago on Friday, Maria Styllou was among those who occupied the Greek embassy in London in response to a coup in Greece. She explains how the coup happened and what it means

South Korea - a state built for empires

21 March 2017
After a corrupt president, a mystic adviser and a giant firm were all humbled by revolt, Simon Basketter looks at how US imperialism, profit and dictatorship shaped South Korea

Why marching matters: the power of protest

31 January 2017
After two weeks of mass resistance to new US president Donald Trump, Simon Basketter looks at the power of protests and where it can lead