The necessity of violence in revolution.

[redcoyote89]

Hi everyone, I am writing an essay for a course on revolutionary change (great class by the way) and the essay requires us to argue for or against whether violence was and is necessary in revolution, particularly in cases of anti-colonial/independence movement such as Algeria, Cuba and Vietnam? Anyone know of any particular Marxist writers who tackled this subject besides Che?

thank you

[Os Cangaceiros]

It might be interesting to contrast the views on revolutionary violence in colonial struggles vs. the views of radicals in developed nations, such as William Haywood (for example).

Just an idea.

[Kléber]

Trotsky wrote the classic defense of revolutionary violence (not individual terrorism), Terrorism and Communism (http://www.marxists.org/archive/trotsky/1920/terrcomm/index.htm).

If you want a book that supports anti-imperialist struggles in the early Cold War try Frantz Fanon's Wretched of the Earth (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SA8E4QS9).

[Robocommie]

If you want a book that supports anti-imperialist struggles in the early Cold War try Frantz Fanon's Wretched of the Earth (http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SA8E4QS9).

I strongly second this.

[redcoyote89]

Ahh, thank you very much all. I have included both Trotsky and Fanon into my essay. I think this has given me a good enough start. Thank you again.