History

How workers battled to kill the bill in 1971

In 1971, workers fought against an authoritarian Tory law, chanting, ‘Kill The Bill’. Isabel Ringrose argues we need the same spirit of militancy to kill the Tory police bill today

Ahoy, matey! Pirate series treasures truth of high seas

Gabby Thorpe urges Socialist Worker readers to get beyond this docudrama’s corny characters and misshapen plots, and embrace their inner raider

Struggles to tear out the roots of sexism

United class struggle can undermine sexism and offer hope of liberation. But that doesn't mean sidelining the battle against oppression, writes Isabel Ringrose

The Paris Commune—a workers’ democracy

The Paris Commune, where workers briefly took power and created the first workers’ government, was born 150 years ago this month.

Rosa Luxemburg—reform is not enough

Rosa Luxemburg, born 150 years ago this week, fought reformist ideas to argue for revolution. Isabel Ringrose looks at what her economic writings contributed to Marxist ideas

Why the protests in Russia?

Huge demonstrations in Russia are a challenge to Vladimir Putin’s regime. They reflect decades of failures by neoliberal and Stalinist regimes—and deserve much better leadership

Alexandra Kollontai—a fighter from the struggle

16 January 2021
Writings From The Struggle contains new translations of Alexandra Kollontai’s work. Isabel Ringrose looks at a revolutionary committed to liberation and socialism

Engels—200 years on

28 November 2020
Two centuries after the birth of revolutionary and socialist theorist Frederick Engels, Sarah Bates examines a life and legacy that goes beyond collaborating with Karl Marx

Mary Wollstonecraft—fighting for women to be free

15 November 2020
The erection of a statue of Mary Wollstonecraft in north London has sparked controversy, Sarah Bates goes beyond the headlines to explore her life and legacy

The Alabama miners strike of 1920—striking a blow at racism

07 November 2020
One hundred years ago miners went on strike in Alabama, in the US Deep South. Tomáš Tengely-Evans spoke to historian Brian Kelly about how their action helped to challenge the hold of racial segregation

The Gardner’s occupation—a jobs fight that won

24 October 2020
Forty years ago this month a workers’ occupation of Gardner’s factory in Eccles, Salford, showed it’s possible to stop mass redundancies. Geoff Brown tells the story. Pictures by John Sturrock

Trespass, capitalism and land

22 August 2020
Simon Basketter looks at a new book examining how the rich have stolen huge swathes of public land—and passed centuries of laws keep everybody else out

New stand-up show already feels like outdated humour

11 August 2020
Sam Jay’s new Netflix special 3 In The Morning is refreshing in some ways. But there are too many jokes that leave you cold, says Jasmine Fischer

Israeli state is worried about questioning of its history

08 August 2020
As Seth Rogen talks about Israel’s lies, Tomáš Tengely-Evans looks at the myths around the foundation of the state

The Communist Party of Great Britain—a party that began as radical

26 July 2020
The Communist Party of Great Britain was founded 100 years ago to fight for revolutionary change. Ken Olende looks at its roots and the debates that took place as it was formed

Comintern, July 1920—a critical juncture

19 July 2020
The Comintern met for the second time 100 years ago. Simon Basketter looks at how the debates there help us to understand and challenge the capitalist system today

Fannie Lou Hamer: ‘I am sick and tired of being sick and tired’

15 June 2020
The indomitable political activist Fannie Lou Hamer was one of the most urgent and important voices of the US civil rights movement.

Vietnam War student massacre—50 years on

10 May 2020
In May 1970 cops opened fire at black students resisting US imperialism. Socialist Worker looks at the forgotten killings at Jackson State

Lenin and his ideas today

19 April 2020
In a time when capitalism is in crisis, the works and life of the revolutionary Vladimir Lenin—born 150 years ago this week—are still crucial, writes Tomáš Tengely-Evans

Cook’s tour drenched in blood

07 April 2020
British explorer James Cook arrived on the east coast of Australia 250 years ago. His incursion was part of a horrific imperialist expansion, writes Charlie Kimber